SOLICITOR-GENERAL

Departmental Expenditure (Official Residences)

Howard Flight: To ask the Solicitor-General how much the Department spent on (a) maintenance, (b) renovation, (c) council tax and (d) running costs of residential properties used by Ministers and officials in each year since 1997.

Harriet Harman: Nothing. None of the Departments for which the Attorney-General is responsible have residential properties used by Ministers or officials.

CABINET OFFICE

Civil Service

Ben Chapman: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will make a statement on progress towards achieving ethnic diversity within the senior civil service.

Douglas Alexander: The Government are strongly committed to achieving ethnic diversity in the senior civil service and to ensuring that the civil service is fully representative of the community it serves.
	Latest data, for April 2003, show that ethnic minorities make up 2.8 per cent. at senior civil service level, up from 1.6 per cent. in 1998. Our target is for ethnic minorities to make up 3.2 per cent. of the senior civil service by 2004–05.

Departmental Website

John Barrett: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what recent assessment he has made of the content and design of his Department's website.

Douglas Alexander: The Cabinet Office commissioned an external review of the content and design of its internet presence in February and March of 2003. We are now putting in place the recommendations from this review.

Market Research

Vincent Cable: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how much his Department spent on (a) opinion polling and (b) market research in the last financial year; and if he will make a statement.

Douglas Alexander: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Buckingham (Mr. Bercow) on 15 May 2003, Official Report, column 402W.

Government Bodies

Norman Lamb: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will make a statement on the (a) purpose, (b) annual budget since inception, (c) projected budget for the next two years and (d) current work programme of the (i) Prime Minister's Delivery Unit, (ii) Office of Public Services Reform and (iii) Office of the e-Envoy.

Douglas Alexander: The work of the units is explained in the Cabinet Office's Departmental Report for 2003, published in May 2003.
	Financial Information is shown in the following table.
	Budgets for the next two years will be decided on completion of the Cabinet Office planning round, which is currently under way.
	
		£ million
		
			  Financial year unit established 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03(1) Budget 2003–04 
		
		
			 Prime Minister's Delivery Unit 2001–02 0 0 0.9 3.1 3.8 
			 Office of Public Services Reform 2001–02 0 0 2.0 5.7 4.2 
			 Office of the e-Envoy 1999–2000 38.5 22.7 25.5 24.8 17.5 
		
	
	(1) Subject to audit.

Government Bodies

Norman Lamb: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many staff are employed in the (a) Prime Minister's Delivery Unit, (b) Office of Public Services Reform and (c) Office of the e-Envoy; where these staff are located; and if he will make a statement.

Douglas Alexander: As at 3 November 2003, there were 28 staff working in the Prime Minister's Delivery Unit, 40 working in the Office of Public Services Reform and 105 in the Office of the e-Envoy. These figures are for Cabinet Office employees and are rounded to full-time equivalents. All of these units are based in central London.

Government Bodies

Norman Lamb: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many times the (a) Cabinet Office Strategy Board, (b) Business Regulation Team, (c) Regulatory Reform Strategy Team, (d) Public Sector Team, (e) Europe and Economics Team, (f) Reform Strategy Group and (g) Corporate Development Group have met since they were established; how much each meeting cost; what the (i) annual budget since inception has been, (ii) projected budget for the next two years is and (iii) current work programme of each body is; and if he will make a statement.

Douglas Alexander: The Cabinet Office Strategy Board has met regularly since its formation earlier this year. The secretariat for the Cabinet Office Strategy Board is an integral part of the Managing Director's private office. There is no separate budget line for this work. The terms of reference for the Cabinet Office Strategy Board are available on the Cabinet Office website (www.cabinet-office.gov.uk).
	The Business Regulation Team, the Regulatory Reform Strategy team, the Public Sector Team and, the Europe and Economics Team are all functional work areas within the Cabinet Office's Regulatory Impact Unit, and therefore do not 'meet' in the way an ad-hoc Board or committee might do.
	The Resource Outturn for these teams since their inception is as follows:
	
		£ million
		
			  1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 
		
		
			 Business Regulation Team 0 0 0.1 0.3 0.3 
			 Regulatory Reform Strategy 0 0 0 0.2 0.4 
			 Public Sector Team 0.1 0.3 0.6 0.6 0.7 
			 Europe and Economics Team 0.6 0.4 0.3 0.4 0.4 
		
	
	The work of the Regulatory Impact Unit is explained in the Cabinet Office's Departmental Report for 2003, published in May 2003.
	The Reform Strategy Group and Corporate Development Group are functional units of the Cabinet Office. Annual budgets are as follows:
	
		£ million
		
			  2002–03 2002–03 
		
		
			 Reform Strategy Group 1.6 (2)— 
			 Corporate Development Group 17.1 14.7 
		
	
	(2) The work of the Reform Strategy Group has been absorbed within other units.
	Budgets for the next two years will be decided on completion of the Cabinet Office planning round, which is currently under way.

Official Properties

Howard Flight: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how much the Department spent on (a) maintenance, (b) renovation, (c) council tax and (d) running costs of residential properties used by Ministers and officials in each year since 1997.

Douglas Alexander: Admiralty House contains residential accommodation for Ministers and the occupying Departments are responsible for relevant costs associated with each of the residential flats. No Cabinet Office Ministers are currently accommodated in Admiralty House. The Cabinet Office is responsible for costs associated with the common parts, as well as for maintaining the fabric of the entire building.
	The Cabinet Office's share of the maintenance costs of Admiralty House for 2002–03 was £2,295.
	From February 2002 to September 2002, a major electrical rewiring, asbestos removal and redecoration project was undertaken to the ground floor state rooms and two of the residential flats. The cost of this work (which was borne by the Cabinet Office) was £629,266.
	The Cabinet Office's share of the running costs of Admiralty House (i.e. excluding the appropriate share of the costs from the occupying Departments) for 2002–03 was £631,421.
	Information about the costs of official residences used by Ministers for previous financial years is already in the public domain.
	Two Cabinet Office officials occupy accommodation in residential properties in the grounds of the Emergency Planning College in Easingwold. One flat is occupied by an official working at the Emergency Planning College on detached duty. The other occupant pays a market rent for the property, which was established by a valuation conducted within the past 18 months by independent valuers appointed by the Office of Government Commerce. Records are not held separately of the maintenance, renovation and running costs associated with these properties in particular and these costs could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The council tax for 2002–03 associated with the property occupied by the individual on detached duty was approximately £175. For 1997–98, the council tax associated with properties occupied by college employees was approximately £190, for 1998–99 and 1999–2000 no college employees resided in college properties, for 2000–01 the approximate council tax was £50, and for 2001–02 the council tax was approximately £150.
	From 1997 to May 2002, some officials were accommodated in civil service college properties on the college's Sunningdale estate. The individual occupants of the properties were responsible for paying the rents that had been established by independent valuers. From June 1999 to March 2000, a number of general repairs were made, to some of the residential dwellings occupied by college staff, amounting to £20,827. In October 2000, £365 was spent on repairs. In January 2002, £3,160 was spent on repairs. There may have been other costs incurred under a maintenance contract let to cover the whole of the Sunningdale Park estate, however, it is not possible to disaggregate costs to a level of individual building. The individual occupants were responsible for their own council tax and running costs (such as utility bills).

Work-related Stress

Vincent Cable: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many cases of work-related stress have been reported in his Department in each of the last three years; how much compensation has been paid to employees; how many work days have been lost due to work-related stress, and at what cost; what procedures have been put in place to reduce work-related stress, and at what cost; and if he will make a statement.

Douglas Alexander: The Cabinet Office does not record reported cases of work-related stress. However, in August 2002 it introduced a mechanism for recording sickness absence caused by work-related stress as distinct from non-work related stress.
	Since that date, the number of reported cases where work-related stress has been recorded as the reason for sickness absence has been less than five. To protect the privacy of individuals, more detailed information cannot be provided.
	No compensatory payments have been claimed or made.
	The Cabinet Office is aware of its legal responsibilities to reduce stress at work. It provides in-house guidance and training to its managers and individuals, has an in-house counselling service that can be accessed by all and has procedures in place for dealing with complaints, harassment and bullying.
	It also encourages, where possible, flexible working arrangements that allow for both work and home commitments to be accommodated.
	Information on the individual costs of these initiatives could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Marine Consents Unit

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on regulating impact assessments which have been carried out into the work of the Marine Consents Unit.

Elliot Morley: The Government's first Marine Stewardship Report announced a Review of Development in Marine and Coastal Waters. This included an examination of a range of marine controls, including those exercised by the Marine Consents and Environment Unit, from a regulatory perspective. A range of options for short-term and long-term reform are currently being considered. An announcement will be made in due course.

Marine Consents Unit

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the regulatory impacts of the proposed spatial planning body within the Marine Consents Unit.

Elliot Morley: The Government's first Marine Stewardship Report contained a commitment to explore the role of spatial planning for the marine environment. This is being followed up in a number of workshops. There is currently no proposal for a spatial planning body within the Marine Consents Unit.

Marine Consents Unit

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the progress of the review being conducted into the Marine Consents Unit.

Elliot Morley: No review is being conducted into the Marine Consents Unit. However, the Government are currently undertaking a Review of Development in Marine and Coastal Waters to see how the complexity of the current regulatory control regime might be reduced. The review is being led by my noble Friend the Lord Rooker, Minister of State for Regeneration and Regional Development. The findings from the review will be announced in due course.

Agriculture

Matthew Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she will publish the consultation on measures to address the environmental impacts of agriculture through the use of economic instruments referred to in her speech to the Environmental Industries Commission Annual Conference on 25 June 2003.

Elliot Morley: The Government included a discussion of agriculture and economic instruments in an annex to the Strategy for Sustainable Farming and Food, published in December 2002. The main route for progressing issues raised in the annex has been through work on diffuse water pollution. The aim is to publish a consultation paper on a broad range of policy options, including economic instruments, by the end of this financial year.

Bovine Tuberculosis

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what (a) strategy has been implemented and (b) funds have been committed to (i) identifying and (ii) eradicating bovine tuberculosis.

Ben Bradshaw: In 2002–03 we spent nearly £74 million on the bovine tuberculosis (TB) Five Point Plan, based on:
	Protecting human health;
	Cattle testing and controls;
	Development of a TB vaccine;
	Research into how TB is spread; and
	A badger culling trial
	We are keen to improve diagnosis of the disease in both cattle and badgers and have commissioned the Veterinary Laboratories Agency to carry out two research projects, at a total estimated cost of over £950,000.
	The current TB programme is under review and we expect to consult on proposals for a new TB strategy for Great Britain, and on short-term policy options for TB control, around the end of the year. In developing the strategy we will need to consider whether eradication of the disease is a realistic goal within the 10 year period over which the strategy will apply, and on the most appropriate ways of achieving it.

Cement Kilns

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent analysis has been carried out by the Environment Agency to establish emission levels from the Rugby Cement Works, Rugby; what conclusions have been drawn in respect of the health implications for residents in the town; and if she will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: The Environment Agency is the regulator for the cement works in Rugby and last conducted independent monitoring at the installation on 13 August 2002. I understand that further independent tests have been scheduled for the week beginning 10 November 2003.
	The Rugby Cement Works is regulated under the Pollution Prevention and Control (England and Wales) Regulations 2000. The Environment Agency recently issued a permit to the cement works in Rugby under those regulations.
	It is the Environment Agency's opinion that compliance with the very carefully designed PPC permit conditions is sufficient to protect human health and the environment. The rationale for the Environment Agency's decision to grant a PPC permit is set out in full detail in a lengthy decision document (Ref. BL7248) which has been placed on public registers maintained by the Environment Agency and the Rugby borough council. A copy of the agency's Decision Document can be obtained by telephoning 01684 850951.

Cement Kilns

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent assessment she has made of the impact on emission levels from the burning of tyres in cement kilns used for co-incineration, with particular reference to (a) nitrogen dioxide, (b) sulphur dioxide and (c) particulate matter; and if she will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: As the competent authority under the Pollution Prevention and Control (England and Wales) Regulations 2000, the Environment Agency is responsible for assessing the impact of emissions from cement kilns that burn tyres. The Environment Agency's assessment methodology shows that tyre burning trials have consistently demonstrated that emissions of the principal pollutant from cement kilns—oxides of nitrogen—are reduced when conventional fuels such as coal and pet coke are substituted by scrap tyres, in some cases significantly. Whilst there might be an increase or decrease in other, less environmentally significant, emissions, the use of scrap tyres has been repeatedly demonstrated to result in a net environmental benefit.

Childhood Obesity

Alan Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions she has had with other Departments about implementing a strategy to tackle childhood obesity.

Ben Bradshaw: Defra has been working closely with the Department of Health, the Department for Education and Skills and the Food Standards Agency in relation to cross-Government initiatives such as the Food and Health Action Plan, Food in Schools, the National School Fruit Scheme and the Five a Day Programme. These are aimed at educating and encouraging both children and the wider population to adopt a healthier diet and lifestyle, including tackling the growing problem of obesity.

Cod Farms

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  if she will make a statement about the future of cod farming;
	(2)  how many cod farms have been proposed to be built in the UK;
	(3)  if she will make a statement on the health aspects of eating farmed cod;
	(4)  if she will make a statement about the effects of cod farming on natural fish stocks.

Ben Bradshaw: The Government's policy on aquaculture is to encourage the development of viable, competitive and sustainable enterprises (including cod farming) provided that this can be done within a framework which safeguards public health and also protects the health and welfare of farmed and wild stocks.
	At present there are six farming enterprises on growing cod on seven sites in Scotland. In general, the English coastline is unsuitable for marine cages, and the alternative (enclosed water re-circulation systems) is capital-intensive.
	While cod-farming on this relatively modest scale may well meet a niche market demand, and there is potentially a vast market for farmed cod, it is not clear that significant expansion in cod is economically viable, given the cost of inputs and the price obtainable for final output.
	The Food Standards Agency advises that there are health benefits to consumers in eating at least two portions of fish a week as part of a healthy diet, at least one of which should be oily. We have no reason to believe that farmed cod should not contribute to a healthy diet as does cod from the wild.

Consumer Reward Card

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will commission a study of the potential effect of a consumer reward card scheme to influence people's behaviour and its impact on the environment; and what studies she has received of the NU card scheme in the Netherlands.

Elliot Morley: The Department is aware of the scheme which is being tried out in the Netherlands, as the National Consumer Council and the New Economics Foundation have recently had discussions with stakeholders in this country about the scheme's potential. We have not received any studies as such, nor at this stage do we have any plans to commission one; but this is an interesting approach and we will keep in touch with developments.

Contingency Planning

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on new measures in place to deal with disease breakdown following foot and mouth disease.

Ben Bradshaw: A new EU directive on measures to control foot and mouth disease was adopted in Agriculture Council on 29 September 2003 and is due to be transposed into domestic legislation by 30 June 2004.
	Under the terms of this directive, the slaughter of infected animals and known "dangerous contacts" remains the principal tool in tackling an FMD outbreak. The main area of change in the new directive is the emphasis it places on emergency vaccination, which has now moved to the forefront of disease control strategies and has to be considered immediately the first case of FMD is confirmed.
	The policies and operational arrangements that would be implemented in an outbreak are captured in the Foot and Mouth Disease Contingency Plan which is reviewed, updated and laid before Parliament annually.

Corporate Environmental Performance

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what research her Department undertook on the environmental reporting of FTSE 350 companies prior to the Prime Minister's challenge in October 2000 to produce more corporate environmental reports; when her Department will next report progress made by UK companies in voluntary reporting of environmental performance; and what information her Department collates on the response of UK companies to the Prime Minister's challenge.

Elliot Morley: Prior to the challenge in 2000, the Department drew on published sources to establish trends in environmental reporting by business. Last year the Department conducted its own survey of reporting by FTSE 350 companies and an account of this was placed in the Library of the House in July 2002. That exercise has not been repeated, but several surveys by other organisations are now publicly available. One recent survey indicates that over half of FTSE 250 companies now report publicly on their environmental performance.

Country Land and Business Association

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she will reply to the invitation from the Country Landowners Association to speak at their November conference.

Margaret Beckett: holding answer 3 November 2003
	My Diary Secretary sent an interim response to the invitation, by e-mail, to Richard Jarman, Head of CLA Public Affairs, on 29 August 2003. After further contact by telephone, a final response was sent, again by e-mail, on 29 October 2003, confirming that I was, regrettably, unable to attend, but that Alun Michael would be delighted to speak at the CLA Conference in my stead.

Countryside Agency

Eric Martlew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to abolish the Countryside Agency; and if she will make a statement.

Alun Michael: There will be a continued need for the functions which the Countryside Agency performs. I refer my hon. friend to the written ministerial statement of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State on 11 November, in which she announced the intention to create an integrated agency incorporating some elements of work currently undertaken by the Countryside Agency, and to focus delivery on others in partnerships with regional development agencies, local government and the voluntary sector in order to provide the best services to rural communities.
	The Countryside Agency will continue with a new, well focused role which we will discuss with the Agency and others over the next few months.

Countryside Agency

Nigel Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the future of the Countryside Agency Headquarters in Cheltenham.

Alun Michael: No decisions have been taken yet on the future structure of the Countryside Agency beyond what the Secretary of State announced on 11 November. We will work closely with the Countryside Agency as we develop more detailed proposals, and intend to give more details in the spring.

Dry Walls

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much Government assistance has been given for repairing dry walls in each of the last five years.

Alun Michael: Grants for repairing dry stone walls have been given under the Environmentally Sensitive Area Scheme since 1987 and the Countryside Stewardship Scheme since 1991. On the latest information available, the total length of wall repaired under these schemes since those dates is approximately 1,100 kilometres, at a current cost of between £12 and £28 per metre.

Egg Industry

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent discussions she has had with (a) representatives of the UK's egg industry and (b) the European Union about possible changes in the EU intervention price of feed grain; and if she will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: The question of whether to change the cereals intervention price was considered as part of the CAP reform discussions earlier this year. As announced in conjunction with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State's statement to the House on 26 June 2003, Official Report, column 1220–21, in the final compromise deal the Agriculture Council decided not to implement the 5 per cent. reduction proposed by the European Commission, although monthly increments will be reduced by 50 per cent. from the 2004–05 marketing year. I have had no specific discussions with the egg industry on this issue.

Energy Consumption (Standby Units)

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate she has made of the daily energy consumption resulting from the use of standby units on televisions; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: The Government's Market Transformation Programme estimates that the 61.5 million televisions in the UK consume approximately 38 million KWh of electricity per day. Of this approximately 3.3 million Kwh (8.5 per cent.) per day is consumed by these televisions while they are in stand-by mode.
	The Government is aware of the potential for many types of appliance to consume significant amounts of energy while left in stand-by mode. It is therefore already working via the Market Transformation Programme (www.mtprog.com) to encourage manufacturers to reduce both the "on" and "stand-by" power consumption of household appliances, including televisions, through the adoption of design improvements, voluntary codes of conduct, and the establishment of best practice guidelines and targets. To date this approach has been fairly successful and we expect that the majority of new televisions sold in the UK should soon consume around 1 watt of power in stand-by mode rather than the 3–8 watts consumed by older models.
	In addition, the Government's recently announced commitment to purchase goods and services that meet higher environmental standards ("Quick Wins") requires any government department which purchases televisions to specify a stand-by power requirement of no more that 1 watt.

EU Committees

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list the dates of meetings of (a) the EU Committee for the adaptation to scientific and technical progress of the directive on water intended for human consumption, (b) the EU Management Committee of the common organisations of agricultural markets for sheep and goats and (c) the EU Committee on the Directive on packaging and packaging waste during the Danish and Greek presidencies; what items were on each agenda for each meeting; what representative of the Scottish Executive was present; what preparatory meetings were held for each meeting, including the officials present; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: The information is as follows:
	(a) The EU Committee for the adaptation to scientific and technical progress of the Directive on water intended for human consumption
	The Drinking Water Directive management committee met during the Danish presidency on 26 November 2002 and during the Greek presidency on 8 May 2003. Issues discussed included sampling and monitoring for radioactivity, lead, copper and nickel, and studies on drinking water.
	(b) The EU Management Committee of the common organisations of agricultural markets for sheep and goats
	The Management Committee of the common organisations of agricultural markets for sheep and goats met during the Danish presidency on 5 July 2002. It discussed the Implementation of the Council Regulation concerning the community scale for the classification of Ovine animals. The Committee did not meet during the Greek presidency.
	(c) The EU Committee on the Directive on packaging and packaging waste
	The EU Committee on the Directive on packaging and packaging waste met during the Danish presidency on 25 July 2002 and during the Greek presidency on 29 January 2003. Issues discussed included data reporting on recycling and recovery of packaging waste, development of the CEN standards on packaging, and notification of Belgium concerning Article 6(6) of Directive 94/62/EC.
	The devolved Administrations, including the Scottish Executive, are kept fully informed of the work of all Committees and their views are fully reflected at Committee meetings.
	Regarding any preparatory meetings, Exemption 2 to the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information applies.

EU Committees

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list the dates of meetings of (a) the EU Committee for the adaptation to scientific and technical progress of the Directive on protection of waters against pollution caused by nitrates from agricultural sources and (b) the EU Committee on the conservations of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora (habitat) during the Danish and Greek Presidencies; what items were on each agenda for each meeting; what representative of the Scottish Executive was present; what preparatory meetings were held for each meeting, including the officials present; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: The information is as follows:
	(a) The EU Committee for the adaptation to scientific and technical progress of the Directive on protection of waters against pollution caused by nitrates from agricultural sources;
	The EU Committee for the adaptation to scientific and technical progress of the Directive on protection of waters against pollution caused by nitrates from agricultural sources did not meet during the Danish Presidency. It met on one occasion during the Greek presidency on 27 March 2003. Issues discussed at the Committee included grassland fertilisation and nitrates, tracing nitrate origin, and updated monitoring guidelines for groundwater and surface waters.
	(b) The EU Committee on the conservations of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora (habitat);
	The Habitats Committee (the Committee on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora) met during the Danish Presidency on 20 November 2002 and during the Greek Presidency on 10 March 2003. Issues discussed included the Natura 2000 Network and conservation projects.
	The devolved administrations, including the Scottish Executive, are kept fully informed of the work of all Committees and their views are fully reflected at Committee meetings.
	Regarding any preparatory meetings, Exemption two to the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information applies.

Fallen Stock

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what provisions there will be for farmers to deliver their own casualty animals to the collection point under the new Fallen Stock Scheme.

Ben Bradshaw: There will be no need for farmers to deliver their own casualty animals to collection points under the Scheme. The subscription fee paid by farmers which join the Scheme covers collection and disposal of fallen stock from farm premises. If farmers nevertheless wish to use their own vehicles to transport carcases to approved collection centres their vehicles will need to comply with the Animal By-products Regulations 2003 and they will need to establish with the approved collection centre that they are prepared to accept carcases which are so delivered.

Fallen Stock

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she expects to publish details regarding the collection of carcases under the Fallen Stock Scheme.

Ben Bradshaw: Progress is being made drawing up the detailed requirements for collection of carcases and the other conditions of the Scheme. These will be made widely available shortly for collection and disposal operators who wish to provide services to the Scheme.

Fallen Stock

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether hunts will be able to register as (a) collectors and (b) receivers of fallen stock.

Ben Bradshaw: The Animal By-products Regulations 2003 require hunt kennels that collect and treat fallen stock carcases to be approved by Defra as collection centres and premises which only receive treated carcases for feeding to hounds are required to be approved as final users. Appropriately authorised hunt kennels will be eligible to register as collectors and/or disposal agents under the National Fallen Stock Scheme if they wish to do so.

Farm Holdings

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assistance is provided by the Government to young farmers who wish to obtain their own farm holding.

Ben Bradshaw: The Government recognise the importance of encouraging new entrants into farming. The Strategy for Sustainable Farming and Food sets out how industry, Government and consumers must work together to secure profitable and international competitive farming and food industries which are attractive to those already engaged in them and to potential new entrants.
	This Department has commissioned research which will seek to identify the existence and nature of any artificial barriers to new entrants, and the potential means by which such barriers might be overcome. We are discussing with interested organisations how to take forward any measures which are found to be necessary.

Farmers' Markets

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what help was given to farmers' markets in England in 2001–02.

Ben Bradshaw: During the financial year 2001–02, Defra provided the following help to farmers' markets in England:
	funding to help the National Association of Farmers' Markets (NAFM), the umbrella organisation for farmers' markets, re-launch farmers' markets following the foot and mouth outbreak;
	funding under the Agriculture Development Scheme to NAFM for the publication of information booklets to help producers develop their knowledge of sales and marketing, and to help NAFM develop its certification programme for accrediting farmers' markets; and
	funding under the Rural Enterprise Scheme for the Somerset Farmers' Market Company.
	In addition, the Countryside Agency, which we grant aid, provided start-up funding to NAFM.

Fisheries

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what proposals she will bring forward at (a) national and (b) European level to tackle cetacean by-catch; and if she will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: At a national level, the UK has published a strategy for the reduction of small cetacean by-catch, which includes a number of recommendations for action. As part of this strategy, trials to reduce cetacean by-catch have been carried out in the offshore bass fishery. These trials have demonstrated that separator grids are a viable means of minimising dolphin by-catch in this fishery and the Scottish fishermen involved in this fishery have already indicated that they will continue to use the grid on a voluntary basis. I am determined to move forward from trialling the separator grid to deploying the gear in the fishery. However, given that the UK is not the main prosecutor of this fishery, it must be understood that whatever action we might consider by way of requiring the use of separator grids or other mitigation measures, or even closing the fisheries, would need to be implemented at the EU level in order to have significant effect.
	The importance of reducing cetacean by-catch has been raised by the UK at ministerial level with the Fisheries Commissioner on a number of occasions and bilaterally with France. In particular, the UK has pressed for the introduction of a observer programme across the EU to broaden the information available about which fisheries, and which vessels, are involved in the problem.
	The Commission published, on 24 July 2003, a draft Council regulation concerning the incidental by-catch of cetaceans in fisheries. Discussions on this proposal are at a very preliminary stage.

Food Standards

Judy Mallaber: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will assess the adequacy of charges available to prosecutors under food regulations.

Melanie Johnson: I have been asked to reply.
	As part of its action plan to implement the recommendations of the Waste Food Task Force, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) has undertaken to consider a number of legal issues with stakeholders. These issues include the offences available to enforcers when taking prosecutions for illegal diversion of unfit meat, the penalties available for such offences, the time limits for investigation of these offences and the issues involved with lack of a power of arrest for food safety offences. The FSA will be discussing these issues with stakeholders at a seminar on 26 November 2003 to discuss the lessons to be learned from the prosecutions in the Denby Poultry Products case.

Food Standards

Judy Mallaber: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps are being taken to improve enforcement of food safety regulations at animal by-products processing premises arising from recent meat fraud cases.

Ben Bradshaw: Food safety regulations are the responsibility of the Food Standards Agency. The State Veterinary Service (SVS) visits animal by-products premises for the purposes of administering the animal by-products legislation, which is enforced by local authorities and the Meat Hygiene Service. SVS instructions were amended in light of the fraud cases referred to, with the aim of preventing further such incidents. They improved audit procedures and highlighted the need to liaise more closely with enforcement agencies where there are possible breaches of food hygiene or other legislation. To improve communication and co-operation between the relevant bodies, Defra has also provided joint training on the new Animal By-Products Regulation for all the relevant enforcement bodies.

Genetically Modified Crops

Alan Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether estimates of yield for GM maize in the GM farm scale evaluation published by her Department will be based upon maize crops grown using the same herbicide regime as used on these farm scale evaluations.

Elliot Morley: The Department has not published yield estimates for the GM maize grown in the farm-scale evaluations. The paper by Champion and others 'Crop management and agronomy of the farm-scale evaluations' published in the Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society on 16 October explains that crop yields were not routinely recorded. The GM and conventional maize crops in each field evaluation were assessed and compared at every stage of growth and results were only included in the analysis where these correlates of yield were comparable and consistent with the protocol requiring 'cost effective weed control'.

Genetically Modified Crops

Anthony Steen: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list the public relations companies employed by her Department to present the Government's viewpoint on GM (a) foods and (b) crops; and how much public funding has been allocated for this purpose.

Elliot Morley: This Department does not employ public relations companies to present our viewpoint on GM food and crops.

Genetically Modified Crops

Simon Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the (a) role and (b) responsibilities of the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment in relation to GM (i) crops and (ii) trials.

Elliot Morley: The Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment (ACRE) is the statutory advisory committee established under Section 124 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. ACRE advise Government and the devolved administrations on all aspects of releases of GMOs into the environment, including the release of GM crops for the purposes of marketing or research. ACRE'S full terms of reference are included in their most recent annual report, which is available on the internet at http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/acre/annrep9/index.htm.

Genetically Modified Crops

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the effects she estimates the adoption of genetically modified crops in the UK would have on the organic farming industry.

Elliot Morley: The Government recognises that the growing of GM crops could affect the economic position of organic and conventional farmers growing equivalent crops. This was highlighted in the Strategy Unit report entitled 'Field Work: weighing up the costs and benefits of GM crops', published last July. The issue is also being discussed amongst member states of the European union. The Agriculture and Environment Biotechnology Commission has been analysing the co-existence of GM and non-GM crops and associated liability issues and was due to publish a report last month. When the report is published we will consider it very carefully, taking into account the possible effects on the organic sector.

Genetically Modified Crops

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what information she has received about whether the planting of GM crops would lead to a change in the use of (a) pesticides and (b) chemical weed killers.

Elliot Morley: Almost all of the GM crops that have been grown under trial in the EU in recent years, or are under consideration for commercial growing, are associated with changes in the use of herbicides and/or insecticides. Each GM crop is assessed on its own merits and any application to release must be accompanied by a dossier that includes detailed information on any potential changes in pesticide use and the effects this would have on the environment. The GM crop farm-scale evaluations, conducted in the UK, made a detailed assessment of the impact of herbicide use associated with three types of GM crop. A copy of the results, which were published last month, is in the Library.

Genetically Modified Crops

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the impact of EU labelling and traceability regulations in respect of GM (a) seeds, (b) animal food and (c) food for human consumption.

Melanie Johnson: I have been asked to reply.
	The Food Standards Agency and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs have commissioned an independent study on the impact of the new GM regulations. This study and information obtained from stakeholders will form the basis of a Regulatory Impact Assessment on the regulations. This will be part of a consultation package, which will be issued at the end of December 2003 and will include the draft domestic implementing regulations and draft guidance to accompany the regulations.

Genetically Modified Crops

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent assessment her Department has made of the application for the sale of GM sweetcorn Bt11; and what advice her Department will offer to forthcoming Council of Ministers meetings on the application.

Melanie Johnson: I have been asked to reply.
	The Food Standards Agency (FSA), as the competent authority under the EC Novel Foods Regulation, is advised by the independent Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes (ACNFP). The ACNFP assessed the original data submitted in support of the application for the sale of genetically modified sweetcorn Bt11 and the opinion of the Dutch competent authority. The European Commission's Scientific Committee (SCF) for food carried out a further assessment of these data and additional information submitted in support of the application and its opinion was also considered.
	Ministers have agreed that the FSA will advise the Council of Ministers that the United Kingdom should support this application based on the conclusion of the SCF, which stated that:
	"Bt11 sweet maize is as safe for human use as its conventional counterparts".

Genetically Modified Crops

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions she has had with her counterparts in the National Assembly for Wales in respect of their decision to declare Wales a GM-free nation.

Elliot Morley: I understand from ministerial colleagues in the Welsh Assembly Government that their policy is to adopt the most restrictive approach possible on GM crops within the confines of European Union and domestic law. They have made clear that this is not the same as declaring Wales GM-free. Ministers and officials in Defra and the Assembly Government keep in close touch on GM issues and hold regular meetings.

Genetically Modified Crops

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  what assessment has been made through (a) research commissioned by her Department, (b) farm scale trials and (c) other research of the potential for GM herbicide tolerant plants to create herbicide tolerant hybrid weeds; and what the results of that research were;
	(2)  what assessment her Department has made of the (a) likelihood and (b) impact of hybridisation of GM oilseed rape.

Elliot Morley: There has been considerable research investigating hybridisation between GM and non-GM crops, including the crops studied in the Farm Scale Evaluations, and between GM crops and wild relatives. This includes studies commissioned by my Department (e.g. "Monitoring large scale releases of genetically modified crops, incorporating report on project EPG 1/5/30: monitoring releases of genetically modified crop plants" (December 2002)), studies carried out in parallel with the Farm Scale Evaluations (e.g. "Gene Flow Monitoring from the GM Crop FSE Sites: Monitoring Gene Flow from the GM Crop to Non-GM Equivalent Crops in the Vicinity. Part 1: Forage Maize" (October 2003)) and other research published in scientific journals (e.g. Wilkinson et al. (2003) Science online www.scienceexpress.org (9 October 2003)). The issues of gene flow and hybridisation between GM and non-GM crops are addressed in Chapter 7 of the GM Science Review published in July 2003 (http://www. gmsciencedebate.org.uk/).
	The impact of hybridisation between herbicide tolerant GM crops and other crops or wild relatives is considered as part of the risk assessment carried out prior to any decision to authorise the release of herbicide-tolerant GM crops.

Genetically Modified Crops

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans her Department has to monitor the impact of GM animal feed on animal health.

Elliot Morley: The Department has no current plans to monitor the impact of GM animal feed on animal health.
	Under EU Directive 2001/18, no genetically modified organism may be used in animal feed in the EU unless and until EU member states have agreed collectively that it is safe to do. In making these decisions, each GM product is judged on its own merits according to evidence of risk to human health or the environment. If authorisation is granted, any subsequent marketing of the GM product in question will be subject to conditions of consent, including details of how the GM product must be monitored. These monitoring conditions may or may not include a requirement to monitor the impact of GM animal feed on animal health depending on the details of each specific case. No such condition has been thought necessary to date.
	In the UK, we are advised on GM product applications by a statutory expert body—the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment (ACRE). If a proposed GM product were intended for use in animal feed, ACRE would consult the Advisory Committee on Animal Feedstuffs (ACAF), which would provide advice on any risks to animal health. If the experts advised that a proposed GM product was safe but that its effects on animal health should be monitored, we would use our voice within Europe to call for this to be included in the monitoring plan.

Genetically Modified Crops

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what role the GM Science Review Panel will play in advising her Department on future decisions in respect of applications to grow GM crops in the UK.

Elliot Morley: The GM Science Review Panel will not play a role in advising on future decisions on GM crop applications. The Government are advised on these matters by a statutory expert body, the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment.
	The GM Science Review was commissioned specifically to undertake a comprehensive review of the science of genetic modification relevant to crops and food. The Government are taking its findings into account along with other elements of the GM public dialogue (the Strategy Unit study of costs and benefits and the debate "GM Nation?") in shaping its overall approach to GM crops and food. The GM Science Review Panel published their first report in July 2003 and will shortly conclude their work with the publication of a second supplementary report.

Genetically Modified Crops

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what role her Department will have in implementing the surveillance scheme proposed in the Food Standards Agency's study on post-marketing monitoring.

Elliot Morley: I am aware that in July 2003 the Food Standards Agency published research by Imperial College looking into the feasibility of monitoring the buying and eating of novel foods, including GM foods. I understand that the Food Standards Agency has not yet decided whether or not to proceed with the recommendations.

Genetically Modified Crops

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the answer of 4 November 2003, Official Report, column 561W, what research has been conducted on unintended biochemical consequences of genetic modification in the GM crops that were tested in the farm scale evaluations.

Elliot Morley: Potential unintended biochemical consequences of specific genetic modifications are considered as part of the case-by-case risk assessment of all GM crops. This consideration is based on research studies of the composition of particular crops grown under a range of conditions. Data examining composition of the crops in the Farm Scale Evaluations will form an important part of the assessment of any applications to market the crops concerned.

Genetically Modified Crops

Michael Meacher: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will set up a GM public debate on the findings of the farm-scale evaluations.

Elliot Morley: The government has already sponsored 'GM Nation?'—the public debate on GM issues—to explore the public's opinions on GM crops.
	The results of the farm-scale evaluations, published on 16 October, are in the public domain and are being discussed widely. The results relate to specific GM crops and have been passed to the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment (ACRE) for statutory advice. ACRE will be holding open meetings on 25 November in London and fourth December in Edinburgh to take evidence from stakeholders and the public. There are no plans to hold a further public debate specifically on the results of the Farm Scale Evaluations.

Genetically Modified Crops

Alan Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on what research the choice of (a) dose, (b) timing, (c) formulation and (d) method of application of the herbicide used on GM maize in the farm scale evaluations was based.

Elliot Morley: Research and other information necessary to make these choices was determined by the company concerned. The specific use of the herbicide in the farm-scale evaluations was covered by an approval issued by the Pesticides Safety Directorate.

Housing

David Kidney: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the rural proofing of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's new regional housing policies.

Alun Michael: I refer to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of State for Housing and Planning on 11 November 2003, Official Report, column 259W. I shall also be meeting with my noble Friend Lord Rooker next month to discuss this issue.

Livestock Industry

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what has been the average (a) disposal sale price and (b) market price for (i) commercial dairy cattle and (ii) pedigree dairy cattle in (A) England and (B) Wales for each of the last five years for which figures are available.

Ben Bradshaw: The average (a) disposal sale price of (i) commercial dairy cattle (ii) pedigree dairy cattle and the (b) market price of (ii) pedigree dairy cattle is not recorded by either Defra or the MLC and is therefore unavailable.
	The average (b) market price for (i) commercial dairy cattle for the last five years is available, as an aggregate of (A) England and (B) Wales due to the few Welsh markets from which data is available. Six years data of the yearly average market price for Friesian Holstein dairy cows sold at auction markets in England and Wales shows the trend of livestock prices prior to the foot and mouth outbreak.
	
		Average price of dairy cows sold at livestock auctions(England and Wales)
		
			  Average price £ per head 
		
		
			 1998 555 
			 1999 489 
			 2000 479 
			 2001 616 
			 2002 593 
			 2003 744 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. 2001: The yearly average price was calculated from data collected during January and February 2001, until foot and mouth forced the closure of the livestock auctions.
	2. 2002: The yearly average price was calculated from data collected from the auction markets which began to re-open from February 2002 onwards, the numbers steadily increased as more markets opened after the restrictions were lifted due to the end of foot and mouth.
	3. 2003: The yearly average price was calculated from data collected during the period January until October 2003.

Milk Chocolate

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the impact on consumption of milk chocolate in the EU of its re-designation as family milk chocolate.

Melanie Johnson: I have been asked to reply.
	Directive 2000/36/EC harmonising labelling and composition rules on cocoa and chocolate products only took effect on 3 August 2003. It is therefore too early to make an assessment on whether there has been any effect on the consumption of milk chocolate in the European Union.

Ministerial Speeches

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list the speeches made by each Minister in her Department since 1 January.

Margaret Beckett: holding answer 30 October 2003
	Copies of most of keynote ministerial speeches can be found on the Defra website. Speeches made by Defra Ministers since January 2003 are as follows:
	Secretary of State: Margaret Beckett
	Oxford Farming Conference (7 January)
	Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, USA (3 February)
	Guardian and Observer Business and Society Conference (6 February)
	Local Government Association Launch of the Rural Revival Report Conference (11 February)
	National Farmers Union Annual Conference (18 February)
	Launch of the Government's Annual Report 2002 (24 February)
	Royal Institute of International Affairs—UK Objectives for the Kiev Conference (27 February)
	Launch of the Supply Chain Partnership Forum Dinner (27 February)
	Food and Drink's Federation New President's Dinner (6 March)
	Industry Forum (Energy) (19 March)
	Agra Europe Outlook Conference (31 March)
	G8 Environment Ministers Meeting (26 April)
	Joint launch with the UNFCCC Secretariat on the IDR (8 May)
	Royal Society for the Green Alliance "The GM Debate: Precaution in Practice" Workshop (5 June)
	Vaillant Service Centre—Speech on the Energy White Paper (23 June)
	Environment Industries Commission Conference (Benefits to the UK of High Environmental Standards) (25 June)
	Green-Works (3 July)
	Fabian Society Waste event (9 July)
	Opening of the Plant Sciences Centre at Broomfield College—(24 September)
	Better Building Summit (21 October)
	REEEP Conference (23 October)
	PUS(L)—Lord Whitty
	Oxford farming conference (7 January)
	Regional Food Showcase (21 January)
	Address CLA Council Meeting (29 January)
	Agri-Economics Society Conference (30 January)
	Foodaware Meeting (30 January)
	100th school milk bar (31 January)
	Parliamentary Warm Homes Group Conference (5 February)
	Unilever Sustainable Agriculture in Practice Seminar (25 February)
	Entry Level Agri-Environment Scheme launch (27 February)
	National heart forum launch (12 March)
	International Food and Drink Exhibition (25 March)
	UK Gas Conference (25 March)
	Carbon Trust and BAA plc energy efficiency partnership launch (31 March)
	Launch of the Crop Protection Management Plans (3 April)
	CCAs event (7 April)
	Briefing MEPs and Assistants on CAP Reform (30 April)
	Young Farmers Annual Forum (3 May)
	Coal UK 2003 conference (12 May)
	Royal Institute of International Affairs conference on Food and Trade (19 May)
	UK BCSE National Conference (20 May)
	Building Research Establishment conference on sustainable development and off site construction (21 May)
	Pimlico District Heating Scheme (Community Energy Programme) (21 May)
	Go Wild At Kew Gardens (22 May)
	Johannesburg renewable energy conference, Brussels (4 June)
	Royal Cornwall Show (6 June)
	Launch of agricultural export promotion unit (10 June)
	Address General Assembly of Confederation of European Spirit Producers (16 June)
	Institute of Public Policy Research Energy Conference (17 June)
	Sustainable Energy Awards (18 June)
	British Water annual lunch (25 June)
	Kew Gardens SSSI launch (4 July)
	MLC barbecue (7 July)
	Queen Mary and Westfield Seminar (16 July)
	Launch Public Sector Food Procurement Initiative (26 August)
	5th Advisory Committee on Business and the Environment (10 Sept)
	Strategy on Sustainable Consumption and Production Launch , two speeches (25 September)
	Better building Summit (21 October)
	Renewable Power Conference (23 October)
	British Meat Processor's Association launch (28 October)
	David Black Awards (29 October)
	Noise abatement society's John Connell Awards (29 October)
	MoS (Rural Affairs and Local Environmental Quality)—Alun Michael
	National Association of Farms for Schools (15 January 2003)
	West Midlands Rural Affairs Forum (15 January 2003)
	CPRE—opening new office (23 January 2003)
	Making it Happen—Reality on the Ground Conference (29 January 2003)
	LGA Rural Housing Conference (4 March 2003)
	Food for thought: 1 day Conference (14 March 2003)
	Quality Parish Conference (18 March 2003)
	CHaRT RICS meeting (18 March 2003)
	Speak at RPA Inspectorate Conference (24 March 2003)
	Corporate Responsibility Group meeting (10 April 2003)
	Rural Business Support Conference (9 June 2003)
	Conference of the International Rural Network (26 June 2003)
	Living Sea Conference (23 July 2003)
	Living Lakes Conference (10 September 2003)
	ANPA Conference (2 October 2003)
	NALC Annual Conference (3 October 2003)
	Co-operatives and Social Enterprise Conference (4 October 2003)
	Society Local Council Clerks Conference (20 October 03)
	Civil Service/MP attachment scheme (21 October 2003)
	Connexions Event: Delivery of Connexions in rural areas (28 October 2003)
	MoS (Environment) (Michael Meacher)
	SW scoping study into impacts of climate change (22 January)
	Parliamentary Sustainable Waste Group (28 January)
	HCIMA—hospitable climates (28 January)
	Adam Smith Institute (29 January)
	Women's Environmental Network seminar on real nappies (10 February)
	Gene Futures conference (11 February)
	Fabian Society (11 February)
	Newcastle University Chaplaincy Lecture (14 February)
	LGA conference on waste (18 February)
	UNED-UK conference on sustainable development (19 February)
	Foundation for Science and Technology seminar on Arctic regions (25 February)
	Environment Agency Chairmen's National Conference (26 February)
	UKCIP/EPSRC conference on climate change (3 March)
	Packaging Federation conference (13 March)
	Wilton Park conference on the Arctic (17 March)
	Eve Balfour Lecture (Soil Association) (19 March)
	QMW energy seminar (20 March)
	ACCA awards (20 March)
	London First Sustainable Business Network launch (1 April)
	Organic Products seminar (7 April)
	UK Business and Environment Chief Executives seminar (9 April)
	Fabian Society Environmental Forum (8 May)
	NW Regional Assembly State of the Region conference (9 May)
	Euromoney emissions trading conference (12 May)
	All Party Group on Conservation and Wildlife (19 May)
	CIRIA climate change conference (4 June)
	Trucost/IRS conference (4 June)
	Parliamentary Sustainable Waste Group (4 June)
	Game Conservancy Trust conference (10 June)
	MoS (Environment and Agri-Environment)—Elliot Morley
	CHPA President's Reception (18 June)
	Address to National Glass Week Conference (19 June)
	Launch of the LGA/EA joint document.(23 June)
	ADA Annual demonstration event, Lincolnshire (3 July)
	New Bristol Zoo Waste Minimisation display (7 July)
	Government's environmental priorities to the All Party Parliamentary Environment Group (8 July)
	'Listening to Business' Breakfast, Stevenage (10 July)
	the All Party group on Sewers and Sewerage (10 July)
	UKCIP Launch on climate change (15 July)
	Speech on Energy and Environment at Informal Environment Council, Montecatini (20 July)
	Launch of the Greenwich Council new recycling facility (29 July)
	Opening of the Gowy Flood Defences (31 July)
	Launch of the Number Regional Waste Strategy, Doncaster (1 August)
	Regional Visit, Cumbria—Speech on Agri-Environment (14 August)
	Launch of Recycle for London (2 September)
	Opening the new Waste Resources Action Programme Building, Banbury (11 September)
	Speech to School Children about being responsible for the Environment during presentation of the Franco-British council Environmental Exchange( 17 September)
	Thames Water Regulation seminar (22 September)
	British Water Seminar on UK-China Co-operation, Beijing (23 September)
	British Water Seminar UK-China Co-operation, Guangzhov (24 September)
	British Water Seminar UK-China Co-operation, Shanghai (26 September)
	Launch of the WCMC World Atlas of Seagrasses (15 October)
	Economist 14th Annual Water Industry conference (16 October)
	Institute of Chartered Accountants Corporate Social Responsibility Debate (21 October)
	Environment Agency Annual Conference Dinner (28 October)
	Speech to present Biffawards (30 October)
	Speech to present prizes to School children at the Shout About Waste event (3 November)
	ADA annual conference (5 November)
	Royal Institute International Affairs conference (5 November)
	WATER UK Source 2003 Conference (5 November)
	Launch of the Enhanced Capital Allowance Scheme for Water Technologies (6 November)
	Speech on Business and the Environment to local business groups in Burnley (6 November)
	Opening of the IWEX Water Exhibition (11 November)
	PUS(C)—Elliot Morley
	Launch of the Animal Health and Welfare Strategy (8 January)
	Opening of the Lower Tone Flood Defence scheme (14 January)
	Opening Water UK's 3rd Annual City Conference (15 January)
	Business Breakfast of the South Yorkshire Green Business Club (20 January)
	Launch of the RSPB Twite report (20 January)
	Coastal Futures Conference (23 January)
	North Sea Flood Conference—'1953 Floods and beyond' (30 January)
	Opening a Vulture rehabilitation Centre, part funded by the Darwin Initiative.(8 February )
	Tehri Institute, Delhi (7 February)
	Marsh Award for Bird Conservation, Indian High Commission (26 February)
	British Water UK—Poland Water Co-operation seminar (4 March)
	Launch of the Global Partnership on Forest Landscape Restoration Rome (11 March)
	Address to the UK Association of Frozen Food Producers Annual Lunch (19 March)
	Deer Initiative Conference Buxton (28 March)
	National Sea Fish awards (2 April)
	UFAW Animal Welfare Conference (3 April)
	45th Ministerial conference on Protection of Forests in Europe (28 April)
	AINA reception (6 May)
	IEA's 4 Annual Conference, Water 2003 (4 June)
	National Water Efficiency Awards (5 June)
	Water Bill and the Sustainabie Management and use of Water, SERA dinner(10 June)
	PUS(C)—Ben Bradshaw
	All Party Group on Wildlife and Conservation (17 September)

National Environment Campaigns

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent assessment has been made of the impact of the Bag It and Bin It campaign on individual behaviour, with specific reference to the change in the number of items disposed of inappropriately.

Elliot Morley: Bag It and Bin It is a water industry campaign and it is for the water companies themselves to assess the impact of the campaign.

Nuclear Waste Sites

Alan Reid: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list the (a) sites in the United Kingdom on which intermediate level nuclear waste is stored and (b) volume stored on each site.

Elliot Morley: The following is a list of sites at which intermediate-level radioactive waste (ILW) is stored. The figures have been taken from the 2001 waste inventory published by Defra and Nirex in October 2002. The figures for each site are the volume of conditioned waste, in cubic metres, and, where appropriate, include the ILW estimated to arise from continued operation and decommissioning.
	
		
			 Waste site ILW—volume, cubic metres, conditioned 
		
		
			 Aldermaston 4,247.0 
			 Amersham 488.0 
			 Berkeley 2,364.0 
			 Bradwell 4,591.0 
			 Calder Hall 4,755.0 
			 Capenhurst 2.0 
			 Cardiff 423.0 
			 Chapelcross 5,640.0 
			 Clyde 1.0 
			 Culham 383.0 
			 Devonport 258.0 
			 Donnington and Stafford 0.2 
			 Dounreay 8,580.0 
			 Dungeness A 4,197.0 
			 Dungeness B 3,729.0 
			 Hartlepool 4,114.0 
			 Harwell 2,744.1 
			 Heysham 1 4,307.0 
			 Heysham 2 4,417.0 
			 Hinkley Point A 6,015.0 
			 Hinkley Point B 4,156.0 
			 Hunterston A 5,428.0 
			 Hunterston B 4,502.0 
			 Oldbury 3,665.0 
			 Portsmouth 9.0 
			 Rosyth 86.0 
			 Rosyth and Devonport (submarines) 1,928.0 
			 Sellafield 131,547.0 
			 Sizewell A 4,244.0 
			 Sizewell B 595.0 
			 Torness 4,224.0 
			 Trawsfynydd 2,849.0 
			 Vulcan 203.0 
			 Windscale 4,209.0 
			 Winfrith 1,312.0 
			 Wylfa 6,810.0 
			 Total 237,022.3

Performance Monitoring

Howard Flight: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the total cost was of (a) setting, (b) monitoring and (c) measuring the performance targets for her Department in 2002–03; and how many and what grades of civil servants monitor these targets.

Alun Michael: The monitoring of progress towards PSA targets is part of the mainstream work of the department and involves a wide variety of staff at all levels of the organisation. Progress towards achieving targets is also monitored by staff in HM Treasury.

Pesticides

Matthew Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will carry out the appraisal of the progress of the voluntary initiative on pesticides at the end of 2003, as recommended by the Environmental Audit Committee in its First Report of Session 2002–03.

Alun Michael: In its response to this Environmental Audit Committee report, the Government said that it would continue to make regular assessments of progress and would be looking for real steps forward during 2003. In particular, the Government said it would be important for the initiative to demonstrate growing farmer uptake and progress on outcomes, particularly in respect of the water catchment project.
	The Government's assessments of progress are published in the Budget and Pre-Budget Reports. The next such assessment will be in next month's Pre-Budget

Pig Farming

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what progress is being made with measures to support British pig farmers; and if she will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: This Government has done and will continue to do what it can to help the pig sector. Since December 2000 over £63 million of taxpayers money, comprising £21.8 million for ongoers and £15.6 million for outgoers under the Pig Industry Restructuring Scheme and some £26 million in relation to Classical Swine Fever, has gone or will go direct to pig farmers as well as £200 million of indirect support in areas such as private storage aid schemes, export refunds, development grants and market promotion.
	We meet frequently with representatives of the pig industry to discuss the challenges they face and have pledged to continue to encourage all parts of the pigmeat supply chain to work together, with ourselves and with Sir Don Curry's Implementation Group, in order to build a sustainable future for all sections of the industry. The Department helped to sponsor the first World Pork Congress in June and assisted industry in getting the approval of the Pigmeat Management Committee to use a new method of carcase grading—Autofom—in Great Britain.
	In addition the Red Meat Industry Forum has made a successful start in providing information designed to help improve competitiveness for all the players in the red meat supply chain. In particular, this includes benchmarking for pig producers.
	We will also be publishing a 10 year Animal Health and Welfare Strategy next spring, after a comprehensive consultation process. The aim of the Strategy is to improve the health and welfare of animals kept by man, and protect public health from animal disease. One major initiative of the Strategy, will be the publication of dedicated sector based sub-strategies, based on a partnership approach between Government and industry. We have been working closely with the pig sector over the past 12 months to help develop such a sub-strategy, which I believe will be launched later this year.
	On illegal imports, we have made much progress in implementing our Action Plan in the past two years. Successes include the transfer of anti-smuggling responsibilities to HM Customs, new risk assessments are being carried out by the Veterinary Laboratories Agency, looking at the risk of illegally imported meat. These assessments will be published next year. We are also raising awareness of the import rules among travellers, using a wide variety of methods to get our messages across.
	The Department has been active in persuading overseas authorities to accept UK exports again. Last year an Export Certification Users Group was set up for live pigs, their genetic material, meat and products. The Group meets regularly to identify priority export markets which remain closed and it also enables us to consider export certification for potential markets abroad.
	Furthermore we recently launched the Public Sector Food Procurement Initiative to procure food in a manner that promotes sustainable development. Its aim is to encourage public bodies to procure food in a manner that promotes sustainable development and to provide greater opportunities for small and local suppliers to compete for public sector business.
	The Government is also making rapid progress on setting up a National Fallen Stock Scheme to help reduce costs to farmers, including pig farmers, for disposing of their fallen stock. We are aware of the pig industry's concerns about biosecurity and will consult the industry on the scheme's biosecurity conditions before issuing. The Directors who will sit on the Board of the Company that will run the scheme have now been selected by industry interests and formally appointed and we hope that the scheme will be up and running early in the new year.

Plankton

Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what data her Department holds on plankton (a) density and type (b) around the British Isles; and whether areas of cold water plankton have been replaced by warm water types.

Elliot Morley: The Department does not hold data on plankton density and type, but does fund the international marine environmental charity 'Sir Alister Hardy Foundation for Ocean Science' (SAHFOS) which is based in Plymouth, UK. SAHFOS currently operates the Continuous Plankton Recorder survey, which has been in operation since 1931 and provides one of the longest and largest marine biological data sets in the world. More than 70 years of information on the density of over 450 plankton types is contained in the database. Plankton samples have been collected from all over the north Atlantic but predominantly from waters around the British Isles.
	Plankton are at the bottom of the marine food-web and because of this they are an essential food-source to virtually all marine life from fish to marine mammals and sea birds. The results of monitoring plankton communities can be used to monitor the state of the marine environment and have been employed to assess the ecological health of the waters around the British Isles.
	Recent research using data from the Continuous Plankton Recorder survey has shown significant changes to the North sea ecosystem. Cold-water species of plankton that are an important food-source for cod and salmon have been displaced northwards, particularly over the last decade, and appear to be being replaced by more southerly warmer-water species.

Pollution Incidents

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to her answer of 12 December 2002, Official Report, column 435W, on discharges into the environment, in respect of pollution incidents, if she will place in the Library an updated list of the documents provided in writing to the hon. Member for Lewes.

Elliot Morley: The Environment Agency is currently updating the information provided to the hon. Member. This will take a little time, and I will write when it is available.

Protected Geographical Indicators Scheme

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many products from the United Kingdom, broken down by region and nation, are being considered for registration under the Protected Geographical Indicators Scheme by the EU.

Ben Bradshaw: There are two products, both Scottish, Arbroath Smokies and Scottish Farmed Salmon, which are currently being considered for registration as Protected Geographical Indications by the EU.

Protected Geographical Indicators Scheme

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many regional foods are registered in each EU state; and how many of these in each state have registered within the last 12 months.

Ben Bradshaw: The numbers of regional foods registered as protected food names by all EU member states are set out in the following table.
	
		
			 Member state Protected designations of origin (PDOs) and Protected geographical indications (PGIs) Traditional speciality guaranteed (TSGs) Total registered 
		
		
			 Italy 132 1 133 
			 France 132 — 132 
			 Portugal 85 — 85 
			 Greece 83 — 83 
			 Spain 71 3 74 
			 Germany 64 — 64 
			 United Kingdom 33 1 34 
			 Austria 12 — 12 
			 Belgium 4 5 9 
			 Netherlands 5 — 5 
			 Luxembourg 4 — 4 
			 Ireland 3 — 3 
			 Denmark 3 — 3 
			 Sweden 2 1 3 
			 Finland 1 2 3 
		
	
	The numbers of regional food products registered within the last 12 months are set out in the following table:
	
		
			 Member state Number registered 
		
		
			 Italy 10 
			 Greece 4 
			 Portugal 4 
			 Spain 3 
			 United Kingdom 2 
			 France 1 
			 Finland 1

Rats

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will estimate the rat population (a) in England and (b) broken down by local authority area (i) in each year since 1997 and (ii) in each year to 2006.

Ben Bradshaw: The most recent estimate of the Norway rat population in England was a minimum of 5,240,000 individuals. This figure was established by a review that assessed the population and conservation status of all British mammals, published in 1995. The only recent objective national survey of rat presence is within the English House Condition Survey. The latest report available is for the 1996 survey which revealed that 0.23 per cent. of properties had rats indoors and 1.6 per cent. had rats present outside.
	With regard to local authorities, section 2(2) of the Prevention of Damage by Pests Act 1949 required every local authority to maintain records of activities undertaken to destroy rats and mice. However, this section was repealed in 1980 since when no information on rat presence within individual local authority areas has been collected by central Government.

Sewage

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what powers water companies have to divert sewage into rivers; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: Water companies have duties under section 94 of the Water Industry Act 1991 to provide and maintain sewers to ensure that they are effectively drained, and the sewer contents are effectively dealt with by treatment works or otherwise.
	Consents to discharge sewage effluents, sometimes in emergencies, into controlled waters are subject to conditions and are issued by the Environment Agency under the Water Resources Act 1991 (WRA91).
	In certain situations water companies may have to make discharges other than in accordance with a consent. In these circumstances, the WRA91 provides two distinct defences to offences of polluting controlled waters under section 85 of the WRA91.
	Section 89(1) states that a person shall not be guilty of an offence of polluting controlled waters if the discharge is made in an emergency to avoid danger to life or health, if steps are taken to minimise the polluting effects of the discharge, and if details of the incident are provided to the Agency as soon as possible after it occurs.
	Section 87(2) states that a sewerage undertaker shall not be guilty of an offence if the undertaker could not reasonably be expected to prevent the discharge into the sewer or works, if a discharge into the sewer is caused by another person and if the undertaker was not bound to receive it, or if it was, the conditions of the discharge were not observed.

Sewage

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  how many recorded incidents there have been in each year since 1997 of water companies diverting sewage into rivers under section 89 of the Water Resources Act 1991; what the location was; and what the volume of sewage released was in each case;
	(2)  if she will list the incidents under investigation by the Environment Agency relating to cases where water companies have diverted sewage into rivers; what the location was; which water company was involved; and what volume was released in each case;
	(3)  what estimate she has made of the total cost in each of the last five years of cleaning up rivers as a result of incidents where water companies have diverted sewage into rivers.

Elliot Morley: The information requested is not available centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Sugar Costs

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations she has received from food manufacturers about the process of applying for reimbursment of sugar costs from the Rural Payments Agency.

Alun Michael: None. The Rural Payments Agency maintains on-going dialogue with industry representatives through its Industry Forum and Experts Group. There is also frequent contact with individual companies in connection with the payment of claims.The RPA tells me that it is not aware of any particular representations having been made by the sector in question.

Timber

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list the local authorities which have not responded to the letter from the Environment Minister on timber procurement of 19 September 2002.

Elliot Morley: Written replies to the Environment Minister's letter dated 19 September 2002 about timber procurement, and the follow up letter dated 7 April 2003, have not been received from the following local authorities:
	Adur District Council, Allerdale District Council, Alnwick District Council, Ashfield District Council, Barking and Dagenham London Borough, Barnet London Borough, Barrow in Furness Borough Council, Bassetlaw District Council, Bedford Borough Council, Bexley London Borough, Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, Blyth Valley Borough Council, Bolsover District Council, Borough of Poole, Bracknell Forest Borough Council, Breckland District Council, Brent London Borough, Bridgnorth Distict Council, Bromsgrove District Council, Broxbourne Borough Council, Cambridgeshire County Council, Cannock Chase District Council, Caradon District Council, Carlisle City Council, Carrick District Council, Castle Morpeth Borough Council, Castle Point District Council, Cheltenham Borough Council, Cherwell District Council, Cheshire County Council, Chester City Council, Chorley Borough Council, Christchurch Borough Council, Corby Borough Council, Corporation of London, Craven District Council, Crawley Borough Council, Crewe & Nantwich Borough Council, Cumbria County Council, Dacorum Borough Council, Dartford Borough Council, Daventry District Council, Derbyshire Dales District Council, Derwentside District Council, Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council, Durham City Council, Ealing London Borough, Easington District Council, East Hampshire District Council, East Hertfordshire District Council, East Riding of Yorkshire Council, Eden District Council, Ellesmere Port and Neston Borough Council, Elmbridge Borough Council, Enfield London Borough, Epsom and Ewell Borough Council, Erewash Borough Council, Fenland District Council, Forest of Dean District Council, Fylde Borough Council, Gedling Borough Council, Gravesham Borough Council, Great Yarmouth Borough Council, Hackney London Borough, Halton Borough Council, Hammersmith & Fulham London Borough, Harborough District Council, Haringey London Borough, Hartlepool Borough Council, Hastings Borough Council, Hertfordshire County Council, Hillingdon London Borough, Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council, Hyndburn Borough Council, Isle of Wight Council, Isles of Scilly Council, Islington London Borough, Kennet District Council, Kettering Borough Council, King's Lynn and West Norfolk Borough Council, Kingston Upon Thames Royal Borough Council, Lambeth London Borough, Leeds City Council, Lewisham London Borough, Lichfield District Council, Lincoln City Council, Maidstone Borough Council, Mendip District Council, Merton London Borough, Mid Suffolk District Council, Mid Sussex District Council, Middlesbrough Borough Council, Milton Keynes Council, Newcastle City Council, North Dorset District Council, North Hertfordshire District Council, North Tyneside Metropolitan Borough Council, North Warwickshire Borough Council, North West Leicestershire District Council, North Wiltshire District Council, Northamptonshire County Council, Nottingham City Council, Oadby and Wigston Borough Council, Oswestry District Council, Oxford City Council, Oxfordshire County Council, Pendle Borough Council, Penwith District Council, Peterborough City Council, Plymouth City Council, Preston District Council, Redditch Borough Council, Reigate and Banstead Borough Council, Restormel Borough Council, Richmond Upon Thames London Borough, Rochford District Council, Rother District Council, Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council, Runnymede Borough Council, Rushcliffe Borough Council, Rutland County Council, Ryedale District Council, Sevenoaks District Council, Shropshire County Council, Slough Borough Council, Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council, South Bedfordshire District Council, South Bucks District Council, South Cambridgeshire District Council, South Derbyshire District Council, South Holland District Council, South Kesteven District Council, South Shropshire District Council, South Tyneside Met. Borough Council, Southampton City Council, Southend-on-Sea Borough Council, Southwark London Borough, St. Helens Metropolitan Borough Council, Stafford Borough Council, Stevenage Borough Council, Stockton on Tees Borough Council, Stoke on Trent City Council, Sunderland City Metropolitan Borough Council, Surrey Heath Borough Council, Sutton London Borough, Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council, Taunton Deane Borough Council, Teesdale District Council, Teignbridge District Council, Test Valley Borough Council, Tewkesbury Borough Council, Three Rivers District Council, Trafford Metro Borough Council, Tynedale District Council, Uttlesford District Council, Vale of White Horse District Council, Vale Royal Borough Council, Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council, Waltham Forest London Borough, Wansbeck District Council, Warrington Borough Council, Warwickshire County Council, Watford Borough Council, Waverley Borough Council, Wealden District Council, Welwyn Hatfield District Council, West Berkshire District Council, West Devon Borough Council, West Oxfordshire District Council, West Sussex County Council, West Wiltshire District Council, Weymouth and Portland Borough Council, Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council, Winchester City Council, Woking Borough Council, Worthing Borough Council, Wychavon District Council, Wyre Borough Council, York (City of) Council

Timber

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list, based on responses to the Environment Minister's letter on timber procurement from 19 September 2002, the local authorities which have timber procurement policies in place.

Elliot Morley: All the local authorities that responded to the Environment Minister's letters dated 19 September 2002 and 7 April 2003 described their various policies for purchasing timber. Some authorities were in the process of reviewing their policies and others reported plans to undertake reviews or were considering making such plans. The authorities that responded are listed as follows:
	Amber Valley Borough Council, Arun District Council, Ashford Borough Council, Aylesbury Vale District Council, Babergh District Council, Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council, Basildon District Council, Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, Bath and North East Somerset Council, Bedfordshire County Council, Berwick-Upon-Tweed Borough Council, Birmingham Metropolitan City Council, Blaby District Council, Blackpool Borough Council, Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council, Boston Borough Council, Bournemouth Borough Council, Bradford City Council, Braintree District Council, Brentwood Borough Council, Brighton and Hove Council, Bristol City Council, Broadland District Council, Bromley London Borough, Broxtowe Borough Council, Buckinghamshire County Council, Burnley Borough Council, Bury Metropolitan Borough Council, Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council, Cambridge City Council, Camden London Borough, Canterbury City Council, Charnwood Borough Council, Chelmsford Borough Council, Chesterfield Borough Council, Chester-le-Street District Council, Chichester District Council, Chiltern District Council, Colchester Borough Council, Congleton Borough Council, Copeland Borough Council, Cornwall County Council, Cotswold District Council, Coventry City Council, Croydon London Borough, Darlington Borough Council, Derby City Council, Derbyshire County Council, Devon County Council, Dorset County Council, Dover District Council, Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council, Durham County Council, East Cambridgeshire District Council, East Devon District Council, East Dorset District Council, East Lindsey District Council, East Northamptonshire District Council, East Staffordshire Borough Council, East Sussex County Council, Eastbourne Borough Council, Eastleigh Borough Council, Epping Forest District Council, Essex County Council, Exeter City Council, Fareham Borough Council, Forest Heath District Council, Gateshead Metropolitan Borough Council, Gloucester City Council, Gloucestershire County Council, Gosport Borough Council, Greenwich London Borough, Guildford Borough Council, Hambleton District Council, Hampshire County Council, Harlow District Council, Harrogate Borough Council, Harrow London Borough Council, Hart District Council, Havant Borough Council, Havering London Borough, Herefordshire Council, Hertsmere Borough Council, High Peak Borough Council, Horsham District Council, Hounslow London Borough, Huntingdon District Council, Ipswich Borough Council, Kensington and Chelsea Royal Borough, Kent County Council, Kerrier District Council, Kingston Upon Hull City Council, Kirklees Metropolitan Council, Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council, Lancashire County Council, Lancaster City Council, Leicester City Council, Leicestershire County Council, Lewes District Council, Lincolnshire County Council, Liverpool City Council, Luton Borough Council, Macclesfield Borough Council, Maldon District Council, Malvern Hills District Council, Manchester City Council, Mansfield District Council, Medway Towns Council, Melton Borough Council, Mid Bedfordshire District Council, Mid Devon District Council, Mole Valley District Council, New Forest District Council, Newark and Sherwood District Council, Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council, Newham London Borough, Norfolk County Council, North Cornwall District Council, North Devon District Council, North East Derbyshire District Council, North East Lincolnshire Council, North Kesteven District Council, North Lincolnshire Council, North Norfolk District Council, North Shropshire District Council, North Somerset Council, North Yorkshire County Council, Northampton Borough Council, Northumberland County Council, Norwich City Council, Nottinghamshire County Council, Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council, Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council, Portsmouth City Council, Purbeck District Council, Reading Borough Council, Redbridge London Borough, Redcar and Cleveland Council, Ribble Valley Borough Council, Richmondshire District Council, Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council, Rossendale Borough Council, Rugby Borough Council, Rushmoor Borough Council, Salford City Council, Salisbury District Council, Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council, Scarborough Borough Council, Sedgefield Borough District Council, Sedgemoor District Council, Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council, Selby District Council, Sheffield City Council, Shepway District Council, Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council, Somerset County Council, South Gloucestershire Council, South Hams District Council, South Lakeland District Council, South Norfolk District Council, South Northamptonshire Council, South Oxfordshire District Council, South Ribble District Council, South Somerset District Council, South Staffordshire District Council, Spelthorne Borough Council, St. Albans City and District Council, St. Edmundsbury Borough Council, Staffordshire County Council, Staffordshire Moorlands District Council, Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council, Stratford-on- Avon District Council, Stroud District Council, Suffolk Coastal District Council, Suffolk County Council, Surrey County Council, Swale Borough Council, Swindon Borough Council, Tamworth Borough Council, Tandridge District Council, Telford and Wrekin Council, Tendring District Council, Thanet District Council, Thurrock Borough Council, Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council, Torbay Council, Torridge District Council, Tower Hamlets London Borough, Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, Wakefield Metropolitan District Council, Wandsworth London Borough, Warwick District Council, Waveney District Council, Wear Valley District Council, Wellingborough Borough Council, West Dorset District Council, West Lancashire District Council, West Lindsey District Council, West Somerset District Council, Westminster City Council, Wiltshire County Council, Windsor and Maidenhead Royal Borough Council, Wirral Borough Metropolitan Council, Wokingham District Council, Wolverhampton Metropolitan Borough, Worcester City Council, Worcestershire County Council, Wycombe District Council, Wyre Forest District Council,

Transfrontier Shipment Notifications

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if a transfrontier shipment notification can be issued when a company does not have a licence to dispose of the shipment.

Elliot Morley: The notifier (the company submitting the transfrontier shipment notification) is required to submit the notification to the relevant competent authorities. The notifier is unlikely to be the company recovering, or disposing, of the wastes. However, the waste should be consigned to a suitably licensed facility.

US Warships (Decommissioning)

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether she has secured from the US authorities undertakings that the ships from the US Naval Reserve due to be stored at Hartlepool will (a) remain the responsibility of the US authorities and (b) be returned to the United States.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 17 November 2003
	The legal responsibility of the ships will remain with the contractors: the US Marine Administration and Able UK. Able UK hold the Waste Management Licence for the site where the ships will be stored, pending a decision on their future.
	If dismantling cannot be completed consistent with international rules and Community Law, the law requires that the ships be returned to the US, unless the waste can be recovered in an alternative, environmentally sound manner.

US Warships (Decommissioning)

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what requirements the Environment Agency has put in place to prevent environmental damage arising from the storage at Hartlepool of ships from the US Naval Reserve.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 17 November 2003
	On 12 November, the Environment Agency used its emergency powers under section 43(4) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 to modify Able UK's existing waste management licence to include conditions which:
	(a) Impose restrictions so that ships cannot be dismantled, decommissioned, cut or broken at the Able facility.
	(b) Require the installation of floating booms across the dock entrance and around waste vessels that are berthed in the dock. The booms must be inspected daily, and should oil be identified within the boomed area, it must be removed within two hours.
	(c) Require that no removal of bilge or ballast water from waste ships shall take place except in accordance with a method statement submitted to and approved in writing by the Agency.
	(d) While waste ships are in the dock, sampling of the dock water and estuary water upstream and downstream of the dock must take place weekly. Results must be submitted to Agency within four weeks. In the event that any results exceed specified trigger levels, the Agency must be notified within 24 hours.
	In addition to these conditions imposed on Able UK, the Agency will carry out its own unannounced site inspections—initially at a weekly frequency. The Agency will carry out its own environmental monitoring, as well as auditing the monitoring carried out by Able UK.

US Warships (Decommissioning)

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her policy is on who will bear the cost of storage, including any inspection and basic safety measures necessary, of ships from the US Naval Reserve at Hartlepool.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 17 November 2003
	It is the Waste Management Licence holder's responsibility to comply with the conditions of a Waste Management Licence at their expense. The modification to the conditions of Able UK's Waste Management Licence now requires them, in effect, not to undertake any dismantling of the ships or other works, save for pollution control measures.
	The Environment Agency will conduct such inspections as it considers necessary to ensure compliance with the conditions of the licence. The costs of these are recovered through subsistence charges.
	Any costs from the safety inspection would be borne by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.

US Warships (Decommissioning)

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what factors underlay her press statement of 7 November that immediate return of the ships sent for disposal to Able UK at Hartlepool would be impractical.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 17 November 2003
	The immediate return of the ships is impractical primarily due to the prevailing weather conditions in the Atlantic over the winter. In the interests of safeguarding human health and the environment, it has been agreed that the ships should be stored temporarily at Hartlepool, pending a decision on their future.

US Warships (Decommissioning)

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on her recent discussions with the US Transportation Secretary on the fleet of ships en route from the USA to Hartlepool.

Elliot Morley: My Department issued a statement on 15 November following discussions between US and UK authorities, the text of which is reproduced below.
	"Following exploration of alternative options, the Government has agreed with the US authorities that the third and fourth US ships currently on their way to the UK, should continue their passage to Hartlepool, where they will be securely stored pending a decision on their future. As with the first two ships, the Environment Agency will place requirements on them to ensure the environment is fully protected and the ships remain ready for return to the United States.
	We explained last week that we were working closely with the United States authorities to examine the practicability of the return of the third and fourth ships to the United States. We have now reached a shared view that it would be imprudent for these ships to attempt a return crossing at this time of year; and that there is no other suitable storage site available. Hartlepool therefore best meets our objectives of safety and environmental protection.
	The US authorities accept that the four ships will have to return to the United States next Spring, unless environmentally suitable and legally acceptable methods for their disposal have by then been identified."

US Warships (Decommissioning)

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for what reasons the Environment Agency's press statement of 6 October 2003 about the decommissioning of United States ships did not refer to the Agency's earlier advice that the ships should not sail from America.

Elliot Morley: The Environment Agency's 6 October press release was issued in response to specific statements made by Friends of the Earth about its legal challenge to the Agency. It was also based on the Agency's understanding of the legal situation at that time.

US Warships (Decommissioning)

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment has been carried out of the (a) economic and (b) environmental impact of the arrival of the ships due to arrive from the United States for dismantling by Able UK.

Elliot Morley: The information requested is as follows:
	(a) No formal assessment of the economic aspect of the contract has been undertaken. It has been reported that the contract could result in the creation of several hundred jobs.
	(b) In September the Environment Agency undertook an assessment of whether the proposed modification to the waste management licence would be likely to have a significant effect on Teesmouth and Cleveland Coast Special Protected Area (SPA) and Ramsar site alone, or in combination with other plans or projects. The assessment was based on the construction of a bund or dry-dock. More recently they undertook another assessment of whether a proposed modification to the waste management licence to impose pollution prevention conditions on the licence, would cause likely significant effect on the SPA and Ramsar site, alone, or in combination with other plans or projects.

US Warships (Decommissioning)

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what powers Government Ministers have to prevent ships entering United Kingdom waters; and on what occasions they have used these powers.

David Jamieson: I have been asked to reply.
	Powers of intervention, including the power to direct a ship to leave UK waters, may only be exercised where a ship is already in UK waters. Such powers may be exercised only where it is considered necessary for the purpose of securing the safety of the ships or other ships; the safety of persons or property; or preventing or reducing significant pollution.

Warm Front Scheme

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many grants made under the Warm Front scheme have been suspended this year to date; and if she will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: holding answer 10 November 2003
	Warm Front is the Government's main programme for tackling fuel poverty in the private sector in England.
	No grants have been suspended under the Warm Front scheme. However a number of applications have been cancelled either by the applicant, or by the scheme managers in cases where proof of eligibility has not been provided.

Waste Incineration

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what research is being undertaken into the health effects of energy-from-waste incinerators.

Elliot Morley: The Government has commissioned a review of the environmental and health effects of waste management options including incineration. This appraisal is currently being peer reviewed by the Royal Society and is due to be published around the time of the Pre-Budget report 2003.

Waste Incineration

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the distribution of proposed waste incineration.

Elliot Morley: At present just over 12 per cent. of England's municipal waste is recycled or composted, about 9 per cent. of municipal waste is incinerated and the rest is landfilled.
	There are 16 Municipal Solid Waste Incinerators in the whole of the UK (14 in England and Wales, two in Scotland) with a total capacity of about 2.7 million tonnes of municipal solid waste per year. There are many hundreds of other incinerators for sewage sludge, hazardous waste, clinical waste, production waste from factories etc.
	The Government has no plans for constructing any particular number of incinerators: the choice of waste treatment facilities is a matter for local authorities to take into consideration with the communities they serve; along with other factors such as their recycling targets and national waste policy.

Waste Performance Reward Grant

Alan Hurst: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the practice in other EU countries in relation to excluding rubble and incineration bottom ash from recycling totals.

Elliot Morley: No detailed assessments have been made of the practice in other EU countries. In the UK and England, any wastes that are recycled are included in the relevant statistics for recycling.
	However, for the purposes of local authority Best Value Performance Standards in England, rubble and incineration bottom ash, among some other wastes, are excluded from the recycling figures. They are not included in the Standards because the Government want to encourage the recycling and composting of dry recyclables and compostable materials separated from mixed household wastes.

Waste Performance Reward Grant

Alan Hurst: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she expects to receive the report of the review into the health and environmental effects of waste disposal.

Elliot Morley: The report on the review of the environmental and health effects of waste management options is due to be published around the time of the pre-budget report.

Waste Performance Reward Grant

Alan Hurst: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what capacity there is in the United Kingdom for the (a) treatment, (b) recovery and (c) recycling of (i) end of life vehicles and (ii) electrical and electronic equipment.

Elliot Morley: A recent study, undertaken by the Industry Council for Electronics Recycling (ICER), estimated the UK's current capacity to treat waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) to be between 130 and 180 facilities UK wide. At present, there are between 70 and 120 specialist treatment facilities that only treat and process electrical waste, mainly IT waste. There are also 19 fridge recyclers in the UK, and ICER suggest that these facilities may turn to treatment of other WEEE in the future. In addition to the specialist treatment facilities, there are around 40 plants UK wide that shred and granulate WEEE in preparation for recycling, and these types of plants treat most types of WEEE, alongside other waste streams, like end-of-life vehicles (ELVs).
	Similarly, it is estimated that there are presently around 950 businesses with waste management licences, and a further 1,750 registered exempt businesses, treating end-of-life vehicles. A recent study, carried out for the Department by TRL Ltd., calculated that approximately 77 per cent. of the weight of ELVs scrapped in 2000 was reused, recovered and recycled.
	However, it is not clear what the UK capacity will be for recycling WEEE, although we do know that much of the recycling industry has already taken the opportunity to recycle electronic and vehicle scrap now entering the waste stream.

Waste Performance Reward Grant

Alan Hurst: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent measures she has introduced on waste minimisation.

Elliot Morley: The Government have committed over £40 million over the next three years (2003–06) to the Waste and Resources Action Programme's (WRAP) waste minimisation work. Its work tackles waste minimisation through four schemes:
	an expansion of home composting;
	promotion of re-usable nappies;
	a research and development programme, aimed at identifying and developing innovative approaches to waste minimisation; and
	work with major retailers to reduce the amount of waste entering the waste stream from supermarkets.
	In addition, WRAP will take forward an education and awareness programme. This will operate at both a national and local level to raise the public's awareness about waste issues, including waste minimisation.

Waste Performance Reward Grant

Alan Hurst: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate she has made of the amount of commercial and industrial waste diverted to local authority managed civic amenity sites in the last year for which figures are available; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: Section 51(1) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 places a duty on waste disposal authorities to provide reasonably accessible places (civic amenity sites) for persons resident in their area to deposit their household waste. Section 51(3) of the 1990 Act enables waste disposal authorities to include in those sites arrangements for the deposit of other controlled waste (commercial and industrial waste) by other persons on such terms as to payment (if any) as the waste disposal authority determines.
	Defra does not hold information on the amount of commercial and industrial waste diverted to local authority managed civic amenity sites.

Waste Performance Reward Grant

Alan Hurst: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many local authority projects for waste minimisation are funded from the Waste Minimisation and Recycling Fund.

Elliot Morley: In 2003–04, the National Waste Minimisation Fund received 34 funding bids for waste minimisation, including education. Of these, 11 received just over a total of £2 million.

Waste Performance Reward Grant

Alan Hurst: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the Waste Performance Reward Grant.

Elliot Morley: The Government announced on 12 August 2003 that they would consult interested parties on the design of the waste performance reward grant in the autumn. Preparations for launching the consultation are well-advanced.

Website

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her policy is on the use of computer games on her departmental website.

Alun Michael: Our aim is that our website should include material that is suitable for its intended audience. On occasion, we have developed website content, typically aimed at a schools audience, that uses quizzes and similar content to stimulate users of the site as part of their learning process.

Yoghurt Classification

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what advice has been given to yoghurt manufacturers to help them comply with EU Directives on yoghurt classification.

Melanie Johnson: I have been asked to reply.
	I am advised by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) that there is no specific European Union legislation on the composition and labelling of yoghurt. However, the European Commission is considering the need for such legislation and the form it might take. The FSA is currently consulting interested parties on a draft document prepared by the Commission.

SCOTLAND

Bechtel

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the contracts for consultancy and other work carried out by Bechtel in each year since 1997 by the Scottish Office, stating in each case (a) the nature of the work, (b) the value of the contract and (c) the duration of the contract; and if he will make a statement.

Anne McGuire: No consultancy or other work was carried out by Bechtel for the Scottish Office between 1997 and 30 June 1999. Responsibility for contracts after that date is a matter for the Scottish Executive.

Bechtel

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the contracts for consultancy and other work carried out by Bechtel for agencies responsible to his Department and its predecessor in each year since 1997, stating in each case (a) the nature of the work, (b) the value of the contract and (c) the duration of the contract; and if he will make a statement.

Anne McGuire: No consultancy or other work was carried out by Bechtel for agencies responsible to the former Scottish Office between 1997 and 30 June 1999; or for agencies responsible to the Scotland Office since 1 July 1999.

Civil Service

Peter Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many civil service jobs there were in Scotland in each year from 1974 to 1999, broken down by (a) local authority area, (b) Department and (c) agency.

Anne McGuire: Information on civil service numbers is contained in the Cabinet Office publications 'Civil Service Statistics', back copies of which are available from the Library of the House. Electronic copies from 1995 onwards can also be accessed from the web: www.civil-service.gov.uk/statistics/css.htm. Specific details relating to location of jobs by local authority area is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Performance Monitoring

Howard Flight: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what the total cost was of (a) setting, (b) monitoring and (c) measuring the performance targets for his Department in 2002–03; and how many and what grades of civil servants monitor these targets.

Anne McGuire: The Scotland Office has no public service agreements. Details of other performance targets are set out in Departmental Reports. Performance management is an integral part of the day to day running of the Department, and as such it is not possible to separate the specific costs. The monitoring of progress towards, and performance against, targets is undertaken by a variety of staff at all levels of the organisation.

Performance Monitoring

Howard Flight: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the performance targets that (a) his Department and (b) its agencies and non-departmental public bodies are required to meet; and if he will specify for each target (i) who sets it and (ii) who monitors achievement against it.

Anne McGuire: The Scotland Office has no public service agreements. Details of other performance targets are set in Departmental Reports. Monitoring progress toward departmental targets is undertaken by a variety of staff at all levels of the organisation.

Website

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent assessment he has made of the (a) content and (b) design of his Department's website.

Anne McGuire: The Scotland Office website is kept under regular review and content is added when required. It is currently being redesigned.

TRANSPORT

Licensed Cabs

Eric Martlew: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to remove local authority powers to restrict the number of licensed cabs in a local authority area; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: We are currently considering the taxi and private hire vehicle market study report published on 11 November by the Office of Fair Trading which recommended that local authorities' power to control taxi numbers (outside London) should be abolished. We are now consulting principal stakeholders and are committed to responding to the recommendations within 120 days of the report's publication.

Traffic Control

Robert Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport who has statutory authority to direct traffic on a public highway; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: The police have the prime statutory authority for directing traffic on public highways. Traffic wardens, as part of the Police Service, are empowered to direct traffic in certain circumstances. A limited number of authorised persons, including school crossing patrols, have power to stop vehicles for particular purposes. Vehicle and Operator Services Agency examiners, accredited under the Police Reform Act 2002, have powers to stop vehicles for the purpose of inspecting their roadworthiness.

Air Transport White Paper

Parmjit Dhanda: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to publish the new Air Transport White Paper.

Tony McNulty: The White Paper will be published before the end of the year.

Silent Aeroplanes

Tony Colman: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will provide funds to Cambridge University for research into silent aeroplanes.

Tony McNulty: The Cambridge-MIT Institute (CMI) launched its project to design a 'silent' aircraft on 10 November 2003. The project, centred around collaborative research teams at Cambridge University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), has been established using Government funding.

Ballast UK

John Lyons: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what contracts Ballast UK has for the renewal of the rail network; and what the value is in each case.

Tony McNulty: Decisions on letting contracts for work on the rail infrastructure are an operational matter for Network Rail. Network Rail advises that it has no contracts with Ballast UK.

British Transport Police

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many incidents of violence on underground trains have been reported to British Transport Police in the last six years for which figures are available.

Tony McNulty: holding answer 18 November 2003
	The British Transport Police have provided the following information regarding criminal offences on London Underground trains that have been reported to the force.
	
		
			 Offence category 1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 April-October 2003 
		
		
			 Violence against the person 261 409 337 341 405 278 
			 Sexual offences 183 287 279 234 208 133 
			 Robbery 224 379 376 497 259 143 
			 Total 668 1,075 992 1,072 872 554

Buses

Geoffrey Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many miles of bus lanes there are in England.

Tony McNulty: Allocation of road space is a matter for local highway authorities. The Department does not maintain a central register of the length of bus lanes.

Buses

Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his policy is on re-regulation of buses.

Tony McNulty: The current statutory framework for buses is set out in the Transport Act 2000. As with all other legislation, we keep the situation under review. Ministers have discussed these matters with a number of groups and individuals representing both local authorities and bus operators.

Call Centres

Michael Connarty: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether his Department plans to outsource call centre work to premises outside the United Kingdom.

Tony McNulty: The Department has no call centre plans which specify a location outside the United Kingdom.

Central Railway Project

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport for what reason he is unable to make an immediate decision on the Central Railway project.

Tony McNulty: A decision cannot be made until all aspects of Central Railway's proposal have been fully examined.

Climate Change

John Thurso: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what research his Department has conducted on the effect of climate change on railway infrastructure; what assessment he has made of the likely impact of future climate change upon the transport sector; and if he will place in the Library copies of reports published from research funded by his Department on the effects of climate change on (a) railways, (b) roads, (c) aviation and (d) other transport.

Tony McNulty: An assessment into the impact of climate change on transport policies was undertaken by the Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions in 2001 and is now available from the Defra website at: http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/climatechange/impacts/01.htm.
	The Rail Safety and Standards Board published their own research, entitled 'Safety Implications of Weather, Climate and Climate Change', in April 2003. This is available from their website, www.railwaysafety.org.uk.
	The Highways Agency completed a report entitled 'Climate change and the Highways Agency' in January 2001. The report covered both the influence the Agency had on climate change as well as the implications of climate change on the Agency's operations. A copy of all three reports will be placed in the Library of the House.

Computer Games

John Thurso: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  what contracts his Department has awarded to external computer game companies, broken down by (a) the company to which the contract was awarded and (b) the date and total cost of the contract; what the purpose of each contract was; and what has been delivered to date on each contract;
	(2)  if he will list the computer games on (a) his Department's website and (b) other websites supported financially by his Department; what the cost to date was of (i) producing and (ii) promoting these; what each game seeks to achieve; and what assessment has been made of the effectiveness of each in meeting its aims.

David Jamieson: Our THINK! Road Safety web site— www.hedgehogs.gov.uk—which is designed to engage children has a games area:
	The contract for the games area was awarded to Draught Associates on 13 February 2001 and cost £13,125 ex vat. The purpose was to design and develop a series of interactive games as a fun and relevant vehicle for communicating important road safety messages to 7–11 year olds. The contract has finished and five interactive games were delivered. This included versions of the games for under 7s, and for 8–11s. The contract cost covered design, production, testing and research.
	The site and games were launched as part of the 'Be Safe Be Seen campaign' in October 2001 and the URL has been on advertisements, T-shirts, stickers, etc we have aimed at children since then. We do not incur expenditure promoting the games specifically as Be Safe, Be Seen is itself our promotional message.
	For the under 7s there are three games
	'Double Up' is a simple matching pairs game where children must find a total of 18 pairs of road safety icons e.g: crash helmet, zebra crossing, lollipop lady, etc.
	'Simon' is a game where children have to remember a sequence of coloured cars as they drive past. It becomes increasingly difficult and there is a road safety message after each sequence
	'Look Out' is a game where children must scroll through a street scene and, when prompted, identify children being careless in various scenarios eg:
	playing with a ball near the road, cycling without a helmet, etc.
	For the 8–11 years old there are five games
	'Double Up' is similar as for the under 7s except it uses more advanced icons eg: road signs etc.
	'Zebras'—in this game players navigate a zebra through a series of crossings. They must use crossings where the man is green to score points 'Simon' is similar to the under 7s game of the same name except the player follows a cyclist and identifies his arm signals.
	'Walkies' is a similar concept to the game where you have to feed a metal loop along a wire without touching the two together. The player has to walk their pet dog along a road and use designated crossings etc to score points.
	'Look out' is similar to the under 7s game of the same name but uses scenarios which are more relevant to older children.
	Qualitative research was carried out with groups from the target audience to test the games. The hedgehogs site is popular with children and has had 403,719 page impressions this year.

Deep Vein Thrombosis

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what research studies he has (a) commissioned and (b) received on alternative designs for the layout of aeroplane cabins to minimise the risk of deep vein thrombosis.

Tony McNulty: The Government has neither commissioned nor received any such studies. Following the House of Lords Report on air travel and health, the Government is co-funding research through the World Health Organisation into the incidence and possible causes of deep vein thrombosis amongst air travellers.

Deep Vein Thrombosis

Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many incidents of deep vein thrombosis in passengers on aeroplanes there were in each of the last 12 months.

Tony McNulty: This data is not collated centrally. Such data would be difficult to obtain as any passenger developing thrombosis is usually likely to do so a number of days or weeks after the flight has taken place.

Deep Vein Thrombosis

Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what guidance he has issued to airline companies on informing passengers on (a) the risk of deep vein thrombosis and (b) drinking water during the flight to reduce the risk of DVT.

Tony McNulty: In 2001 the Government issued advice on deep vein thrombosis and air travel. It identified groups of people with a higher risk of DVT and provided guidance on measures to reduce the risk, including a recommendation that passengers should drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration. All UK airlines operating long-haul flights have based the information they give to passengers on this advice.

Website

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent assessment he has made of the content and design of his Department's website.

Tony McNulty: The DfT web site, re-launched in July 2003, was developed to provide improved design, navigation and information retrieval. Following the launch of the site, we carried out an internal content review over the summer and commissioned a survey of external users designed by NOP. Further changes to improve customer focus are planned as a result of these exercises.

Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency

John Thurso: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many complaints were received by (a) the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, (b) his Department and (c) other bodies about the process by which licence applications are processed by the DVLA, broken down by the nature of each complaint, in (i) 2001–02, (ii) 2002–03 and (iii) 2003–04 to date.

David Jamieson: The following table provides information about formal complaints received directly by DVLA about the driving licence application process. Figures are not available on complaints received by other bodies.
	
		DVLA formal customer complaints
		
			 Complaints category 2001–02 2002–03 2003–04(3) 
		
		
			  Driving licence applications 
			 Non-receipt of a driving licence 57 86 52 
			 Other driving licence complaints 367 457 278 
			 Drivers medical complaint 129 141 214 
			 Documents lost at DVLA 92 120 96 
			 Processing time 24 32 34 
			 Processing procedures 189 211 156 
			 DVLA forms 85 96 18 
			 Total 943 1,143 848 
		
	
	(3) April to October

Environmental Impact Assessments

John Randall: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether his Department has incorporated Directive 85/337/EEC on environmental impact assessment into its consideration of the future development of air transport in the UK.

Tony McNulty: Directive 85/337/EEC makes it clear that environmental impact assessment is a matter for developers, as part of the procedure for seeking consent to any development. That said, we believe our strategic appraisal of airport options is consistent with the aims of the Directive.

Environmentally Sustainable Aviation

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to introduce an environmentally sustainable aviation policy; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: The Air Transport White Paper will be published before the end of the year and will address the issue of environmental sustainability in the context of aviation policy.

EU Committees

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether the EC-Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia Joint Transport Committee met during the Danish and Greek presidencies.

Tony McNulty: This information is not centrally available.

EU Committees

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether the EU Advisory Committee on transport met during the Danish and Greek presidencies; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: This information is not centrally available.

EU Committees

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the dates of meetings of (a) the EU Committee for the establishment of conditions for the interoperability of the trans-European high-speed rail system, (b) the EU Committee on the System of Charging for the Use of Transport Infrastructure and (c) the EU Advisory Committee on unfair pricing in maritime transport during the Danish and Greek presidencies; what items were on each agenda; what representative of the Scottish Executive was present on each occasion; what preparatory meetings were held for each meeting; which officials were present at each preparatory meeting; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: The information requested is as follows:
	(a) During the period in question, there were four meetings of this Committee, on 3 July 2002, 30 September-1 October 2002, 4 February 2003, and 23–24 June 2003. The UK is represented on this Committee by the Strategic Rail Authority. The Committee is primarily responsible for assisting and overseeing the production, adoption and revision of Technical Standards of Interoperability. The purpose of these specifications is to technically harmonise the European railway supply market. The committee oversees the development of these TSIs for both the High Speed (96/48/EC) and the Conventional Interoperability (2001/16/EC) Directives. During the specified period, the Committee discussed principles for the drafting groups to adhere to in writing the TSIs and monitored the progress being made on the production of these TSIs. It also considered the cost-benefit analyses (including methodology) that accompany the TSIs and the co-ordination of notified bodies (organisations appointed in Europe to verify compliance with TSIs).
	(b) This Committee did not meet during the period in question.
	(c) UK involvement in this Committee is not the responsibility of the Department for Transport.
	Exemption 2 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information covering internal discussion and advice applies.

EU Committees

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether (a) the EC-Bulgaria Joint Transport Committee, (b) the EEC-Slovenia Joint Transport Committee and (c) the EC-Romania Joint Transport Committee met during the Danish and Greek presidencies.

Tony McNulty: This information is not centrally available.

EU Committees

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the dates and locations of meetings of (a) the EU Advisory Committee on the definition and use of compatible technical and operating standards and specifications for the procurement of air-traffic management equipment and systems, (b) the EU Advisory Committee on restrictive practices and dominant positions in the shipping industry and (c) the EU Advisory Committee on restrictive practices and dominant positions in air transport during the Danish and Greek presidencies; what items were on each agenda; what representative of the Scottish Executive was present on each occasion; what preparatory meetings were held for each meeting; which officials were present at each preparatory meeting; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: The information requested is as follows.
	(a) This Committee did not meet during the period in question.
	(b) and (c) UK involvement in these Committees is not the responsibility of the Department for Transport.

EU Committees

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether (a) the EC-Czech Republic Joint Transport Committee, (b) the EC-Slovak Republic Joint Transport Committee, (c) the EC-Hungary Joint Transport Committee and (d) the EC-Poland Joint Transport Committee met during the Danish and Greek Presidencies; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: This information is not centrally available.

Freight

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how much freight in (a) actual and (b) percentage terms was carried by (i) road, (ii) rail and (iii) water in each year from 1974 to date.

Kim Howells: The information requested is as follows:
	
		Domestic freight transport by mode: Great Britain 1974–2002
		
			  Goods moved (billion tonne kilometres) Goods moved (percentage share of total) 
			 Year Road Rail(4) Water Pipeline All modes Road Rail Water Pipeline All modes 
		
		
			 1974 90 22 31 5 148 61 15 21 4 100 
			 1975 92 21 28 6 147 63 14 19 4 100 
			 1976 96 21 30 6 153 63 14 20 4 100 
			 1977 98 20 41 9 168 58 12 24 5 100 
			 1978 100 20 48 10 178 56 11 27 6 100 
			 1979 103 20 56 10 189 54 11 30 5 100 
			 1980 93 18 54 10 175 53 10 31 6 100 
			 1981 94 18 53 9 173 54 10 31 5 100 
			 1982 95 16 59 10 179 53 9 33 5 100 
			 1983 96 17 60 10 183 52 9 33 5 100 
			 1984 100 13 60 10 183 55 7 33 6 100 
			 1985 103 15 58 11 187 55 8 31 6 100 
			 1986 105 17 55 10 187 56 9 29 6 100 
			 1987 113 17 54 11 195 58 9 28 5 100 
			 1988 130 18 59 11 219 60 8 27 5 100 
			 1989 138 17 58 10 223 62 8 26 4 100 
			 1990 136 16 56 (5)11 219 62 7 26 5 100 
			 1991 130 15 58 11 214 61 7 27 5 100 
			 1992 127 16 55 11 208 61 7 26 5 100 
			 1993 135 14 51 12 211 64 7 24 5 100 
			 1994 144 13 52 12 221 65 6 24 5 100 
			 1995 150 13 53 11 227 66 6 23 5 100 
			 1996 154 15 55 12 236 65 6 23 5 100 
			 1997 157 17 48 11 233 67 7 21 5 100 
			 1998 160 17 57 12 245 65 7 23 5 100 
			 1999 157 18 59 12 246 64 7 24 5 100 
			 2000 158 18 67 11 255 62 7 26 4 100 
			 2001 157 19 59 12 247 64 8 24 5 100 
			 2002 157 19 67 11 254 62 7 26 4 100 
		
	
	Source :
	(4) Road and water—DfT ; Rail—Strategic Rail Authority ; Pipeline—DTI
	From 1991 figures for rail are for financial years ie 1991/92 etc, and from 1998 are calculated on a new basis.
	(5) The increase in 1990 is largely due to changes in coverage

Heathrow Pollutants

John Randall: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  what research he has commissioned on methods of maintaining levels of nitrogen dioxide around Heathrow Airport within EU limits;
	(2)  whether a third runway at Heathrow Airport would remain an acceptable option in the forthcoming Aviation White Paper in the event that relevant pollutants could not be contained within EU limits;
	(3)  what assessment his Department has made of the action plan to minimise emissions from Heathrow Airport which BAA plc was required to produce as a condition of the planning permission for the fifth terminal.

Tony McNulty: The Government has reviewed a wide range of evidence, including information contained within the BAA pic Air Quality Strategy and Action Plan, in considering the future development of Heathrow. The Government remains of the view that a new runway at Heathrow could not be considered unless it could be confident that levels of all relevant pollutants could be consistently contained within EU limits. Final decisions will be announced in the forthcoming air transport White Paper.

Missile Incidents

Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many incidents since 1997 have been caused by missiles thrown from bridges over (a) motorways and (b) trunk roads.

David Jamieson: Police and Highways Agency procedures for recording details of incidents on motorways and trunk roads do not support identifying those caused by missiles being thrown from bridges.

Missile Incidents

Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what measures the Government is taking to reduce the number of incidents caused by missiles thrown from bridges over motorways and trunk roads.

David Jamieson: The Agency is tackling the problem of missiles thrown from bridges and trunk roads in several different ways.
	These include education initiatives, visits to schools by Police and local Road Safety officers, to make younger children more aware of the consequences of this type of activity. The Agency is also looking to support the Police in implementing additional enforcement measures, including increased CCTV coverage and warning notices on the approaches to problem sites. The Agency has also incorporated guidance on measures to prevent missile throwing within the latest version of its standard for the design of footbridges.

NM Rothschild and Sons Ltd

Kevin Brennan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on services provided to his Department by NM Rothschilds since 1997.

Tony McNulty: The Department was formed in May 2002. No services have been provided to the Department by NM Rothschilds.

Rail Industry

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make it his policy to take back into full public ownership (a) rail operations, (b) full responsibility for track renewal and (c) London Underground; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: The Government aims to deliver a safer, more reliable and efficient rail system.
	What is essential is for the public and private sector working together to focus on delivering improvements. Major structural change can be disruptive and would detract effort from making improvements to the day to day management of the network.
	Network Rail have said they will continue to use contractors to carry out renewals, upgrading lines or installing a new signalling system—areas where there is a competitive supply market. This work is typically carried out on a project basis, making use of a specialist workforce and is well-suited to competitive tendering.
	Responsibility for London Underground (LUL) transferred from central Government to Transport for London, an agency of the London Mayor on 15 July 2003. It is now for London Underground, working with the infrastructure companies, to ensure the stable long-term funding that Government is providing is used to bring the Tube up to modern standards.

Rail Industry

Parmjit Dhanda: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent assessments his Department has made of the potential of high-speed rail as an alternative to short-haul flights.

Tony McNulty: Scope for the railways to provide an alternative to short-haul air services was among the many issues on which we invited views in our consultation on the future development of air transport in the United Kingdom.
	We will set out our conclusions in the air transport White Paper, which we expect to publish next month.

Rail Industry

John Thurso: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will place a list of the stations which have secure station accreditation in the Library.

Tony McNulty: The list of the 163 stations currently accredited under the Secure Stations Scheme has been placed in the House Library today. Seventy three of these stations have been reaccredited.
	Approximately two thirds of all overground rail journeys, and approximately one half of all London Underground journeys now involve passengers starting or finishing their journey at a Secure Station.

Rail Industry

Richard Ottaway: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many new train carriages will be ready for use by December but cannot be used due to insufficient power supply.

Tony McNulty: Over 2,000 new carriages are being introduced to replace all the slam-door trains—most of which are over 30 years old—across the three south-of-the-Thames franchises. Railtrack failed to plan for the associated upgrade of the power supply. The Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) now has a grip on the project and expects to complete it early in 2005. Meanwhile, many of the new carriages are already in service and none is in store because of power shortages. As deliveries continue, around a 100 out of over 2,000 new carriages may be stored by December, but the SRA is leading work on ways in which they might be introduced into service using existing power supplies.

Rail Industry

Patsy Calton: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress is being made towards reducing the train journey time between London and Manchester; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: Work is currently underway to modernise the West Coast Main Line which will substantially reduce the current journey time of two hours 41 minutes. The Strategic Rail Authority's West Coast Main Line Strategy, published in June 2003, projects a reduction in minimum journey times between London and Manchester of around 40 minutes by 2007.

Reflective Clothing

John Thurso: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  what assessment has been made of the effect of wearing reflective clothing on the number of (a) child and (b) road casualties;
	(2)  what support has been given to the Cats Eyes for Kids road safety campaign; and what assessment there has been of its impact on (a) the number of casualties and (b) promoting better individual behaviour related to road safety.

David Jamieson: The Nationwide's Cats' Eyes for Kids campaign promotes reflective clothing, and provides reflectors for children to wear. It is not possible to quantify exactly how much the wearing of such materials impacts on casualties. But together with other good practice, it undoubtedly makes our children more visible when walking in the dark and thus safer on the roads. The Nationwide initiative is an excellent example of how the private sector can help us to meet national casualty reduction targets.

Road Accidents

Geoffrey Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many (a) deaths of and (b) injuries to (i) vehicle drivers, (ii) vehicle passengers and (iii) pedestrians occurred as a result of road accidents involving (A) converted-van or multi-purpose vehicle taxis and (B) purpose-built taxis in (1) the United Kingdom and (2) London in each of the last five years for which figures are available.

David Jamieson: The available information relates to the number of deaths and injuries to (i) vehicle drivers/riders, (ii) vehicle passengers and (iii) pedestrians as a result of road accidents involving taxis (hackney carriages) in (1) Great Britain and (2) Greater London in each of the last five years. This information is shown in the following table. Information is not available on accidents involving converted van or multi-purpose vehicle taxis. Information for Northern Ireland is collected on a different basis and does not identify pedestrian injuries resulting from accidents involving taxis.
	
		All casualties from accidents involving taxis(6),(7)GB, Greater London: 1998–2002 -- Casualties
		
			 Severity 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 
		
		
			  Great Britain   
			  Drivers/riders
			 Killed 2 3 6 4 0 
			 Injured 1,388 1,314 1,297 1,272 1,210 
			   
			 Passengers  
			 Killed 1 3 6 4 4 
			 Injured 1,120 995 1,111 961 863 
			   
			 Pedestrians  
			 Killed 7 6 7 4 3 
			 Injured 414 377 395 404 376 
			   
			  Greater London   
			  Drivers/riders
			 Killed 0 2 1 2 0 
			 Injured 576 573 531 515 476 
			  
			 Passengers  
			 Killed 1 1 2 0 3 
			 Injured 320 269 270 277 219 
			   
			 Pedestrians  
			 Killed 0 1 1 1 1 
			 Injured 168 174 161 188 142 
		
	
	(6) Body type taxi—definition used in the DVLA, DVLI administrative records.
	(7) Includes casualties other than taxi occupants.

Road Traffic Control

Robert Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received on permitting civilians to direct vehicles on public highways; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: There are limited circumstances in which civilians can direct vehicles on public highways. I refer the hon. Member to the answer I have given today (ref. 139944). In developing its role as a network operator, as announced by the Secretary of State for Transport in his statement to the House on 20 June 2003, the need was identified for civilian traffic officers working on the trunk road network, around the clock to keep traffic flowing. This followed a review undertaken by the Agency, in partnership with the Association of Chief Police Officers, of both organisations roles and responsibilities for traffic management. This concluded that responsibility for a number of tasks associated with traffic management should transfer from the police to the Highways Agency. In order to develop its role the Highways Agency needs new, limited, traffic management powers and is preparing the necessary legislation.
	The Highways Agency continues to work in partnership with the police and has held discussions with representatives of primary stakeholders, including constabularies, road contractors, County Surveyors Society, AA and RAC.

Road Traffic Control

Robert Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether the SPECS electronic signs on the M4 between junction 4 and junction 15 contain cameras which (a) read vehicle number plates, (b) compute vehicle speeds and (c) are used to issue speeding tickets; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: There is no camera equipment located on the M4 between junctions 4 and 15 that is capable of (a) reading vehicle number plates, (b) computing vehicle speeds in order to (c) issue speeding tickets.

Sleeping Drivers

Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many road accidents caused by drivers falling asleep while driving there were in each year since 1997.

David Jamieson: The information requested is not available. Research has estimated that tiredness is a principle factor in around 10 per cent. of car driver accidents and about 15–20 per cent. of all accidents on motorways and other similar roads.

Speed Partnerships

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has for the future of speed partnerships.

David Jamieson: At present 42 partnership areas are participating in the scheme. We plan to continue with the national roll out of this successful programme.

Speed Partnerships

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what guidelines there are for setting speed areas for speed partnerships.

David Jamieson: Guidelines for the setting of speed limits are contained in Circular Roads 1/93.

Speed Partnerships

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what level of fine proceeds from mobile partnership speed vans was given to public authorities in the Avon and Somerset area in 2002–03.

David Jamieson: Fines from speeding offences detected by mobile units are not separated for the purpose of Home Office statistics.

Speed Partnerships

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what guidelines he has published on partnership speed camera vans in the Somerset and Avon area.

David Jamieson: Vehicles associated with mobile camera units need to be in a livery that makes clear the vehicles contain the speed enforcement cameras.

Transport Security

Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  what steps he is taking to minimise the security risk from terrorists using haulage vehicles to attack targets;
	(2)  what security checks are carried out on (a) individuals and (b) organisations seeking permits to transport hazardous materials.

David Jamieson: The UK's existing transport security regimes are kept under review to ensure they continue to manage the assessed risk, although for obvious reasons it is not appropriate to set out the detail of the particular security measures.

Transport Staff

John Thurso: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many staff were employed by (a) the Office of the Rail Regulator, (b) the Strategic Rail Authority, (c) Her Majesty's Railway Inspectorate, (d) sections relating to railway matters within the Health and Safety Executive and Health and Safety Commission and (e) the (i) Rail Delivery Directorate and (ii) Railways Restructuring Directorates, or their equivalent, within his Department in each year since 1997.

Tony McNulty: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 3 February 2003, Official Report, column 46W. As at 1 April 2003, 83 staff were employed in my Department's Rail Directorate.

Trunk Roads

Jackie Lawrence: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  what weight restrictions are in place on trunk roads;
	(2)  which trunk roads have weight restrictions placed on them.

David Jamieson: I have asked the Acting Chief Executive of the Highways Agency, Mr. Stephen Hickey, to write to my hon. Friend.
	Letter from Stephen Hickey to Mrs. Jackie Lawrence, dated 19 November 2003
	I have been asked by David Jamieson to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions about weight restrictions on trunk roads.
	The trunk road network in England, which is the responsibility of the Highways Agency, has very few permanent and temporary weight restrictions below the 40 tonne requirement in place, following a programme of strengthening work that has been carried out in recent years. The locations where restrictions are currently in place are listed in Table 1.
	
		Weight restrictions below 40 tonnes
		
			 Trunk road/structure Weight limit (tonnes) Temporary/permanent 
		
		
			 A282 Dartford Crossing (offside lane of east tunnel) 3 Permanent 
			 A282 Dartford Crossing (offside lane of west tunnel) 7.5 Permanent 
			 M5 Junctions 27–28 7.5 Temporary 
			 M4 Junctions 16–18 7.5 Temporary

West Coast Main Line

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the expected (a) cost and (b) completion date were of the renewal of the west coast main line when the contract was let; and what his latest estimates of (a) and (b) are.

Tony McNulty: The West Coast Route Modernisation project was originally developed by Railtrack in the late 1990s, which claimed that it would be completed by 2005 at a cost of around £2.2 billion. A number of contracts were let with project managers and suppliers for its delivery. However, under Railtrack's management the projected costs eventually escalated to over £13 billion, and it became clear the committed outputs were undeliverable. The Strategic Rail Authority and Network Rail have now established a robust framework for delivering the project, based on the SRA's June 2003 'West Coast Main Line Strategy', which indicated that the costs would be kept within a cap of £9.9 billion. Further work is under way to explore the scope for reducing the costs further. The outputs are currently on course to be delivered by 2007–08.

West Coast Main Line

Dave Watts: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether the West Coast Main Line connection between Crewe and Liverpool Lime Street will be fully modernised by 2005.

Tony McNulty: The West Coast Main line Strategy, published by the SRA in June 2003, shows that the upgrading of the line between Crewe—Weaver Junction and Liverpool for higher maximum line speeds is projected to be completed by 2005.

West Coast Main Line

Dave Watts: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the average speed of trains on the West Coast Main Line between Crewe and Liverpool Lime Street will be after the line has been fully modernised.

Tony McNulty: Under current timetable proposals for fastest Crewe-Liverpool journey times of some 34 minutes by the end of 2004, average journey speed would be around 60mph, depending on the number of intermediate stops. Timetabling proposals for later years are not yet developed.

West Coast Main Line

Dave Watts: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what effect the estimated increase in the costs of modernising will have on the Government's plans for the West Coast Main Line.

Tony McNulty: The Strategic Rail Authority's 'West Coast Main Line Strategy', published in June 2003, established a robust framework for delivering the project. The Strategy indicated a project cost within a cap of £9.9 billion. Further work is under way to explore the scope for reducing costs. The project outputs are currently on course to be delivered fully by 2007–08.

West Coast Main Line

Dave Watts: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the estimated train journey time is for services between London and Liverpool using the West Coast Main Line after 2005.

Tony McNulty: The Strategic Rail Authority's 'West Coast Main Line Strategy', published in June 2003, gave an indicative best journey time of 2 hours 12 minutes in 2005 for London to Liverpool services.

West Coast Main Line

Dave Watts: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  whether the whole of the West Coast Main Line will be fully modernised by 2008;
	(2)  what the estimated journey time is for trains using the West Coast Main Line between London and Glasgow after 2008.

Tony McNulty: The Strategic Rail Authority's "West Coast Main Line Strategy", published in June 2003, envisages that the modernisation of the line will be complete by 2008 when the fastest journey time from London to Glasgow is projected to fall to some four hours 18 minutes.

LEADER OF THE HOUSE

Official Residences

Howard Flight: To ask the Leader of the House how much was spent on (a) maintenance, (b) renovation, (c) council tax and (d) running costs of residential properties used by Ministers and officials in his Department in each year since 1997.

Peter Hain: No expenditure of this sort has been incurred in respect of officials. Nor has such expenditure, in respect of Ministers, been incurred since spring this year. The remaining information sought is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Legislative Scrutiny

Michael Jack: To ask the Leader of the House if he will list for each Bill with over 150 clauses considered in this session of Parliament, how much debate each clause received at (a) Committee Stage and (b) Report Stage.

Peter Hain: Five Bills considered in this session of Parliament have over 150 clauses. How much time was spent debating each clause of these Bills is a matter of public record, obtainable from Hansard, but could be collated only at disproportionate cost.

September Sittings

Ben Chapman: To ask the Leader of the House pursuant to his answer of 6 November, Official Report, columns 773W, on September sittings, whether he has tabulated the representations for and against the September sitting of the House.

Peter Hain: No.

Sitting Hours

Ben Chapman: To ask the Leader of the House pursuant to his answer of 6 November, Official Report, columns 773–4W, on sitting hours, whether he has tabulated the representations for and against the present sitting hours of the House.

Peter Hain: No.

PRIME MINISTER

Gaia House

Anthony Steen: To ask the Prime Minister if he will make an official visit to Gaia house near Totnes.

Tony Blair: I have no current plans to do so.

Guantanamo Bay

Mark Oaten: To ask the Prime Minister if he will raise the issue of the (a) legality and (b) impartiality of the proposed military tribunals for the Guantanamo Bay detainees with President Bush when he visits the UK next week.

Tony Blair: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the right, hon. Member for Ross, Skye and Inverness (Mr. Kennedy) at Prime Minister's Questions today.

Iraq

Win Griffiths: To ask the Prime Minister how many of the sources of information used in the compilation of Government publications referring to weapons of mass destruction in Iraq have been interviewed since May of this year to verify the information they provided.

Tony Blair: Many of the sources of information used in the compilation of the Government's publications were intelligence sources. It has been the practice of successive Government not to comment on intelligence matters.

Kyoto/ICC

Tony Colman: To ask the Prime Minister if he will raise with the US President the decision to secede from (a) the Kyoto agreement and (b) the International Criminal Court.

Tony Blair: I expect to cover a range of issues of common interest with President Bush. My regular discussions with him include international issues and climate change.

Mark Henderson

Iris Robinson: To ask the Prime Minister what steps he has taken towards securing the release of Mr. Mark Henderson, kidnapped by ELN, the national liberation army in Colombia, on 12 September 2003.

Tony Blair: The Government have been in regular touch with the Colombian Government about the kidnapping of Mark Henderson. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office, in conjunction with police experts in London and the British Embassy in Bogota, has been actively involved in this case from the outset.
	We are liasing with the Colombian authorities at the highest level and with the Catholic Church in Colombia which is leading the negotiations with the ELN, also known as the National Liberation Army. We are supporting their efforts to obtain the release of Mark Henderson and the other hostages, emphasizing that the safety of the hostages is of paramount importance. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is in regular contact with the Henderson family.

Ministerial Visits

Andrew Selous: To ask the Prime Minister pursuant to his Oral Answer to the hon. Member for South-West Bedfordshire of 12 November 2003, Official Report, column. 284, what action he has taken to pass on the hon. Member's request to the Deputy Prime Minister to visit south Bedfordshire.

Tony Blair: The Deputy Prime Minister has been made aware of the hon. Member's comments.

Performance Monitoring

Howard Flight: To ask the Prime Minister what the total cost was of (a) setting, (b) monitoring and (c) measuring the performance targets for his Department in 2002–03; and how many and what grades of civil servants monitor these targets.

Tony Blair: Performance targets for my Office form part of the Cabinet Office performance targets and were agreed as part of Spending Review 2002. The monitoring and measurement of Public Service Agreement targets forms part of performance management throughout the Office. Performance management is an integral part of the day to day running of my Office, and as such it is not possible to separate the specific costs out. The monitoring of progress towards, and performance against, the Public Service Agreement targets is undertaken by a wide variety of staff at all levels of the organisation.

Performance Monitoring

Howard Flight: To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the performance targets that (a) his Office is required to meet; and if he will specify for each target (i) who sets it and (ii) who monitors achievement against it.

Tony Blair: Key performance targets for my Office form part of the Cabinet Office performance targets and are agreed as part of the Spending Review and the latest set were published in Spending Review 2002: Public Service Agreements 2003–06 (Cm 5571). We monitor progress towards the target along with HM Treasury and progress is reported regularly.

State Visit (Protests)

Tony Colman: To ask the Prime Minister if he will take steps to ensure that peaceful protest against the visit of the President of the United States is facilitated.

Tony Blair: The Metropolitan Police will facilitate peaceful protest during the visit of the President of the United States.

Work-related Stress

Vincent Cable: To ask the Prime Minister how many cases of work-related stress have been reported in his office in each of the last three years; how much compensation has been paid to employees; how many work days have been lost due to work-related stress, and at what cost; what procedures have been put in place to reduce work-related stress, and at what cost; and if he will make a statement.

Tony Blair: I refer the hon. Member to the answer the Minister for the Cabinet Office (Mr. Alexander) gave to him today.

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

BBC Governor Elections

Tony Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will put mechanisms in place for the election of a number of BBC governors by viewers and listeners.

Tessa Jowell: The Queen currently appoints the BBC Governors, on recommendation of the Prime Minister following advice from the Secretary of State for Culture Media and Sport. Candidates are identified through an open and transparent process that is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments.
	There are no current plans to change the appointments mechanism, although the Commissioner regularly reviews her Code. However, the forthcoming review of the BBC's Royal Charter will provide an opportunity to examine all aspects of the Corporation's role and function, including the appointment of Governors.

Childhood Obesity

Peter Pike: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent discussions she has had with sports and leisure representatives on the role of her Department in tackling obesity among children; and if she will make a statement.

Estelle Morris: The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has a key role to play in addressing child obesity. The cross-Departmental Activity Co-ordination Team, which is co-chaired by my right hon. Friend the Minister for Sport and Tourism, is currently preparing a national physical activity strategy. The Team is consulting widely across the sports, leisure and fitness sectors. Representatives from these sectors will be attending a stakeholders' meeting facilitated by ACT and Sport England on 19 November. Measures for addressing obesity among children will be discussed at that meeting.

Film Locations

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what action her Department is taking to promote sites in (a) the North East and (b) England as film locations.

Estelle Morris: The UK Film Council, the Government's strategic adviser for film, has established a network of nine Regional Screen Agencies (receiving £7.5 million per year), to help create a sustainable film and moving image industry throughout England and to work together to promote England as a film location. Each Regional Screen Agency provides a locations service, to promote locations and offer practical assistance for television companies and filmmakers wishing to work in their region.
	Northern Film and Media (NFM) is the regional screen agency for the North East. NFM encourages both inward investment and indigenous production and promotes the use of locations, crews and facilities in the North East.

Licensing Laws

Win Griffiths: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what advice has been given to local authorities on the administration of the new licensing laws for premises selling alcohol.

Estelle Morris: The Licensing Act 2003 provides that the Secretary of State must issue guidance to licensing authorities on the discharge of their functions under the Act and she expects to present this to both Houses for approval shortly. In the meantime the Department is working with the Local Government Association and the Local Authorities Coordinating Office on Regulatory Services in advising licensing authorities on their forthcoming functions under the Act.

Lottery Funds (Orkney and Shetland)

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the total value was of applications for Lottery money made by groups in (a) Orkney and (b) Shetland in each of the past five years for which figures are available.

Estelle Morris: The Department does not collect this information.

Lottery Funds (Orkney and Shetland)

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the total value was of Lottery grants made to groups from (a) Orkney and (b) Shetland in each of the past five years for which figures are available.

Estelle Morris: The total value of Lottery awards made to the constituency of Orkney and Shetland in the past five years has been:
	
		
			 Calendar Year £ 
		
		
			 1998 1,690,757 
			 1999 1,647,985 
			 2000 1,346,536 
			 2001 1,898,912 
			 2002 8,247,946 
			 January 2003 to date 2,989,411 
		
	
	We are not able to disaggregate the Lottery funding that has gone to the islands individually without disproportionate cost.
	This information is derived from the Department's Awards Database and is based on information supplied by the distributing bodies.

Olympic Games

Kate Hoey: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many of the Olympic facilities in London announced in November will be permanently available for sports use.

Tessa Jowell: In line with guidance from the International Olympic Committee (IOC), London 2012 Ltd are working with Sport England and local government to ensure that the sporting legacy of the Olympics will be sustainable. This work is ongoing and an initial assessment will be sent to the IOC on 15 January as a part of the candidature acceptance procedure.

Olympic Games

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps will be taken to improve hotel and tourist facilities outside London in the event of a successful Olympic bid for 2012.

Tessa Jowell: For tourism, as with other sectors, it is important to realise the full range of opportunities that hosting the Olympics would offer and ensure that the whole country is in a position to capture these benefits fully if the Bid is successful. We have already briefed the Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) on the Bid and the opportunities the Games would create and Visit Britain is looking further at the potential tourism benefits with the tourism industry. London 2012 will also be taking forward further work on the regional benefits in discussion with the RDAs.

Tourism Revenue

Geoffrey Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate she has made of the tourist revenue generated in 2002 from visits to (a) the Palace of Westminster, (b) Buckingham Palace, (c) the London Eye and (d) the Tower of London; and if she will set out the methodology she uses to calculate such figures.

Estelle Morris: We have not made an estimate of the tourism revenue generated by visits to these places. However, this Department is responsible for the maintenance and presentation of the Tower of London through its contract with Historic Royal Palaces, which relies on revenue generated by the palaces. Buckingham Palace is one of the Occupied Royal Palaces: the Royal Household receives Grant-in-Aid to meet property and service costs. We have obtained the following figures from the bodies responsible concerning tourist revenues:
	The Tower of London: gross revenue in 2002 from admissions, retail and concessions was £23,319,000.
	Buckingham Palace: the State Rooms were open during August, September and part of October 2002. Gross total revenue from visitors was £5,491,000, comprising £2,993,000 for admissions, and £2,498,000 for shop sales.
	Palace of Westminster: House of Commons Officials have advised that, according to unaudited accounts, gross revenue from tickets and merchandise for tours of the Palace in 2002 was £605,000.
	The London Eye: is a commercial attraction and we do not have its revenue figures.

Velodrome

Kate Hoey: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport whether the proposed velodrome will be a permanent facility for cycling; and whether it will be built in the event of an unsuccessful bid for the 2012 Olympics.

Tessa Jowell: London 2012 Ltd, the company tasked with preparation of the Olympic bid, is in discussion with key stakeholders, including the British Cycling Federation, Lea Valley Regional Park Authority and Sport England, about possible non-Olympic use of the Velodrome, both before and after a 2012 London games. Those discussions encompass the question of whether the building of the velodrome is dependent on a successful London bid.

Women's Sport

Angela Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what proportion of the New Community Development Fund sports budget will be available to women and girls who do not participate in traditional mainstream sports.

Tessa Jowell: The £60 million Community Club Development Programme will run from 2003–04 to 2005–06, and is designed to effect improvements in facility provision at amateur sports clubs. In selecting the sports which will benefit, the Government considered participation rates and the abilities of governing bodies to deliver improvement quickly. As a result, the programme will be delivered by established sports with significant numbers of participants.
	Funding is being made available to governing bodies as follows:
	The Rugby Football Union, the Football Association, the England and Wales Cricket Board, and the Lawn Tennis Association have been allocated £9.4 million each. The following governing bodies have been allocated £20 million between them over these three years:
	the Badminton Association of England,
	England Basketball,
	the British Canoe Union,
	British Cycling,
	British Gymnastics,
	the English Hockey Federation,
	the British Judo Association,
	the All England Netball Association,
	the Amateur Rowing Association,
	the Rugby Football League,
	the Amateur Swimming Association, and
	the English Table Tennis Association.
	This funding is not targeted at the development of facilities for women and girls, or at any particular geographical or socio-economic group. It is for the governing bodies which have joined the programme to decide what proportions of funding should be made available for facilities specifically targeted at women's and girls' participation, against their national development plans.

Women's Sport

Angela Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps are being taken by her Department to encourage girls to participate in sport.

Tessa Jowell: The Government is committed to ensuring that everyone is given the opportunity to participate in sport. Sport England Lottery funding to governing bodies is now provided only where those bodies have acceptable equity policies in place as parts of their development plans. In addition, Sport England provides £200,000 a year to the Women's Sports Foundation to support the involvement of women and girls in sport.

World Heritage Status

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many United Kingdom sites have World Heritage Site status, broken down by government office of the region area; and what steps she is taking to gain recognition for other sites.

Estelle Morris: The UK has 25 World Heritage Sites of which 22 are located within the UK mainland. A break down of these sites by regional Government Office is in the table.
	In 1999, the Government produced a Tentative List of 25 sites that might be nominated for World Heritage Site status over the next 5–10 years. To date, seven sites on this List have been inscribed onto the World Heritage List and a number of other sites are preparing for nomination. Since 2002, only one nomination may be made each year.
	
		
			 Government Office World Heritage Site 
		
		
			 North East Durham Cathedral and Castle 
			  Hadrian's Wall 
			 North West Hadrian's Wall 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber Fountains Abbey, St. Mary's Church and Studley Royal Park 
			  Saltaire 
			 East Midlands Derwent Valley Mills 
			 West Midlands Ironbridge Gorge 
			 London Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew 
			  Maritime Greenwich 
			  Palace of Westminster, St. Margaret's 
			  Church and Westminster Abbey 
			  The Tower of London 
			 South East Blenheim Palace and Park 
			  Canterbury Cathedral (with St. Augustine's Abbey and St. Martin's Church) 
			 South West City of Bath 
			  Dorset and East Devon Coast 
			  Stonehenge, Avebury and associated sites 
			 Other Administrations  
			 Northern Ireland Giant's Causeway and Causeway Coast 
			 Scotland Edinburgh Old and new Towns 
			  New Lanark 
			  Hearth of Neolithic Orkney 
			  St. Kilda 
			 Wales Blaenavon Industrial Landscape 
			  Castle and Town Walls of Edward I in Gwynedd

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Palestinian Negotiation Support Unit

James Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much funding is given by the Government to the Palestinian Negotiation Support Unit; and what conditions are attached to the use of the funding.

Hilary Benn: DFID has committed a total of £9.2 million to support the Palestinian Negotiation Support Unit (NSU). This funding covers the period 1999 to 2006. To date £5.25 million has been disbursed.
	The purpose of this project is to provide professional legal, technical, policy and communications advice to the Palestinian authorities in preparation for, and during, permanent status negotiations with Israel. Following the collapse of formal negotiations the NSU has broadened its role by seeking to encourage the resumption of permanent status negotiations by contributing to a variety of diplomatic peace initiatives. The project supports those in the Palestinian Authority who are committed to peace.
	The project is managed on behalf of the Palestinian authorities by the Adam Smith Institute. There are no specific conditions attached, but it is subject to DFID's usual checks and balances to ensure funds are disbursed in accordance with the agreed objectives. In addition four other governments, Norway, Sweden, Netherlands and Denmark provide complementary funding. We are currently establishing with these partners, and with the NSU, a framework for the overall management of the project.

Afghanistan

Stephen Hepburn: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what proportion of United Kingdom aid to Afghanistan since 2001 has been used to combat the production of opium.

Hilary Benn: Tackling opium production in Afghanistan requires action in many areas: to improve the ability of the government to enforce the law and implement a coherent counter-narcotics strategy and to improve the conditions for legal private sector economic growth to offer people involved in poppy cultivation the chance of a licit alternative livelihood.
	DFID's assistance to Afghanistan contributes to all of these areas. Since October 2001, DFID has disbursed £157 million of aid to Afghanistan. This has included humanitarian support which prevents people from sliding into the marginalised criminal economy, £35 million of financial assistance to the Afghan Government, and over £5 million in assistance to develop the capacity of the Afghan Government.
	DFID has already provided £2.5 million for specific sustainable livelihoods programmes and has projects being implemented worth nearly £10 million. DFID has recently doubled its budget for sustainable livelihoods programme to £20 million over three years. This represents over 10 per cent. of total DFID assistance over the next three years and over 20 per cent. of the budget for programmes excluding financial assistance.
	The Government have allocated £70 million over three years specifically to combat the production of opium in Afghanistan. This includes a £5.4 million contribution from DFID's £20 million livelihoods budget. In total, this represents some 30 per cent. of planned UK assistance to Afghanistan over the next three years.

Departmental Staff

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many staff were employed in his Department on 31 December (a) 1997, (b) 1998, (c) 1999, (d) 2000, (e) 2001 and (f) 2002; and how many are employed there now.

Hilary Benn: Staff numbers for DFID permanent and pensionable Home Civil Service (HCS) staff, for each year from 1997 to 2002 inclusive, published in our annual Departmental Reports from 1998, are set out as follows.
	Details of the available figures are contained in the following table:
	
		
			  HCS staff in UK headquarters HCS staff overseas Total 
		
		
			 1997 1,007 170 1,177 
			 1998 1,200 180 1,380 
			 1999 1,279 195 1,474 
			 2000 1,292 209 1,501 
			 2001 1,374 224 1,598 
			 2002 1,433 241 1,674 
		
	
	Total HCS staff numbers (headquarters and overseas) at 1 October 2003 was 1,744.
	We do not hold annual staff numbers for locally appointed staff in our Overseas offices (SAIC). However, we can say that the number of SAIC in post in March 2003 was 914.

Departmental Staff

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many staff were employed in his Department when the 2002 spending review was completed; and how many he expects to be in post at the end of financial year 2005–06.

Hilary Benn: Details of DFID staffing figures for 2002 are taken from our published Departmental Report for 2003.
	The numbers of permanent and pensionable Home Civil Service (HCS) staff in post at that time, are as detailed in the following table:
	
		2000
		
			  Number 
		
		
			  
			  
			 HCS staff in UK headquarters 1,433 
			 HCS staff overseas 241 
			 Total 1,674 
		
	
	By the end of the Financial Year 2005–06, we forecast that these numbers will have risen to 1,774.
	The number of locally appointed In-Country staff (SAIC) was 914 in March 2003. At this stage, we cannot say what future impact our reduced effort in middle income countries will have on these figures.

Ethiopia

John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will make a statement on his plans to provide aid to Ethiopia in response to predicted food shortages next year.

Hilary Benn: Since the beginning of 2002 we have provided over £50 million in humanitarian support to Ethiopia.
	The Ethiopian Government's Disaster Preparedness and Prevention Commission (DPPC) and UN agencies are currently undertaking crop assessments. Official estimates of food shortages for 2004 will therefore not be available until the DPPC/UN appeal, which should be issued on 10 December.
	We will then take these estimates into account, along with nutritional information and other indicators of the humanitarian crisis, when making our decisions about the provision of humanitarian assistance during 2004.

Infant Mortality

Julia Drown: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what progress has been made against the target of reducing the number of child deaths under the fourth millennium development goal; and what assessment his Department has made of whether the target will be met.

Hilary Benn: Globally child mortality is declining, and between 1990 and 2000 the under-five mortality rate was reduced from 92 to 82 deaths per 1,000 live births. On current trends, however, the Millennium Development Goal target of reducing under-five mortality by two-thirds between 1990 and 2015 will not be met.
	DFID works with international partners to monitor global trends in progress towards the Millennium Development Goals and their associated targets. Latest United Nations reports suggest considerable regional variation in the rates of progress being made towards the under-five mortality target. Latin America is expected to meet the target, but there has been much slower progress in South Asia, and virtually no progress in sub-Saharan Africa, which accounts for over half of all under-five deaths.
	DFID has put the achievement of the MDGs at the heart of its work, and is working with its partners to accelerate progress towards the MDG targets. The targets for both child and maternal mortality in Africa and Asia form part of DFID's Public Service Agreement. Supporting progress in sub- Saharan Africa is a particular priority for DFID.
	An assessment of progress towards all of the MDGs is provided in the UN Secretary General's 2003 report on the implementation of the Millennium Declaration: http://ods-dds- nv.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/N03/481/57/PDF/N0348157. pdf?OpenElement.

Infant Mortality

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development 
	(1)  if he will list the mortality rates of children under five for (a) girls and (b) boys in Asia in each of the last 10 years;
	(2)  what the mortality rates of children under five for (a) girls and (b) boys were in sub-Saharan Africa in each of the last 10 years.

Hilary Benn: Estimates for under-five mortality by region are published by the UN Statistics Division on the Millennium Development Goals database. This provides information for 1990 and 2000 but not for intervening years. A gender disaggregation is not available. Details are as follows:
	
		Under-five mortality rates (deaths per 1,000 live births)
		
			  1990 2000 
		
		
			 Sub-Saharan Africa 176 172 
			 Eastern Asia 44 36 
			 South-central Asia 125 95 
			 South-eastern Asia 77 51 
			 Western Asia 70 62 
		
	
	These figures were published in the report of the Secretary-General on the MDGs to the UN General Assembly in September 2003 and can be accessed via: http://millenniumindicators.un.org/unsd/mi/pdf/a 58 323e.pdf .

Infant Mortality

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will make a statement on child mortality in developing countries in (a) 1980, (b) 1990 and (c) 2000.

Hilary Benn: Globally, child mortality was significantly reduced in the late twentieth century. The number of child deaths fell from over 13 million in 1980 to an estimated 10.8million in 2000. The following table gives the United Nations estimates of under-five mortality rates (the probability of a child dying before his or her fifth birthday expressed per 1,000 live births) over this period globally and in developing countries:
	
		
			  Under-five mortality: the world Under-five mortality: developing regions 
		
		
			  
			  
			 (a) 1980 117 132 
			 (b) 1990 92 102 
			 (c) 2000 82 90 
		
	
	While this decline in child deaths is encouraging, current progress towards the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) target of reducing under-five mortality by two-thirds between 1990 and 2015 is too slow and uneven across regions. A significant challenge remains, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.
	DFID has put the achievement of the MDGs at the heart of its work, and is working with its partners to accelerate progress towards the MDG targets. The targets for both child and maternal mortality in Africa and Asia form part of DFID's Public Service Agreement.

Iraq

Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps coalition forces in Iraq are taking to set up a humanitarian traffic lane on the Iraqi side of the Iraqi-Jordanian border.

Hilary Benn: We are not aware that coalition forces are planning the setting up of a humanitarian traffic lane on the Iraq side of the border with Jordan.

Iraq

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what proportion of Iraq's demand for domestically consumed fuels was met through imports in the last month.

Hilary Benn: It is estimated that, in October 2003, between one-quarter and one-third of the national supply of gasoline, diesel and kerosene was met by imports. Imports also provided almost two-thirds of the demand for LPG. Iraq is likely to depend on imports of these fuels until the early spring.

Iraq

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will identify the roles and responsibilities of (a) the 18 members of staff in his Department and (b) the seconded consultants working in Iraq.

Hilary Benn: The information is as follows:
	(a) The Iraq Directorate within DFID consists of a range of programme management and professional advisory staff who cover development subjects relevant to the needs of the reconstruction effort, e.g. social development, health, economics and infrastructure.
	(b) Most of the seconded consultants are working for the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) in Baghdad and Basrah in an advisory capacity in various sectors, including economics, education, refugees/returns and infrastructure and urban development. There are eight DFID-funded contractors working as project officers and facilities managers in various Governorate Team Offices throughout Iraq. There are also three DFID members of staff seconded to CPA whose job titles are Assistant to Chief of Operations, Press Officer and Senior Engineering Adviser.

Iraq

Colin Challen: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development 
	(1)  what assessment his Department has made of the need for environmental improvements in Iraq;
	(2)  what support his Department is giving to the Minister for the Environment in Iraq.

Hilary Benn: DFID is exploring options for support to the environment, including work with the Minister for the Environment, in the context of other priorities for our future assistance to Iraq. DFID and Defra officials are planning to undertake an assessment visit to Iraq shortly. DFID has meanwhile agreed to part-finance a survey to be carried out in Iraq by the Post-Conflict Assessment Unit of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

Iraq

Colin Challen: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what advisers have been appointed by Coalition members to support the work of the Minister for the Environment in Iraq.

Hilary Benn: Coalition members have provided a number of staff for the Coalition Provisional Authority with environmental expertise who work alongside the Iraqi Environment Ministry. These include the Senior Adviser to the Ministry of Health, which previously contained Iraq's Environmental Protection and Improvement Directorate, and the Senior Adviser to the Ministry of Water Resources. As part of the UK contribution to the reconstruction effort, we have agreed to fund half of UNEP's environmental field assessment, which is likely to commence in spring 2004, and will include work on institutional and capacity building focusing particularly on the Environment Ministry.

Iraq

Richard Younger-Ross: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what resources provided by (a) Her Majesty's Government and (b) NGOs are available in Iraq for mine clearance.

Hilary Benn: The UK has made the following resources available for mine/UXO clearance in Iraq in the current financial year.
	
		
			 Organisation Purpose Amount (£)  
		
		
			 UNMAS Mine/UXO clearance 4,000,000 
			 UNMAS Plastic explosive for disposal of mines/UXO 357,378 
			 Mines Advisory Group (MAG) Preparedness 80,883 
			 Mines Advisory Group (MAG) Integrated mine action 781,639

Life Expectancy

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will make a statement on life expectancy in developing countries in (a) 1980, (b) 1990 and (c) 2000.

Hilary Benn: The figures for life expectancy in developing countries are as follows:
	
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 1980 60 
			 1990 63 
			 2001 64 
		
	
	Life expectancy in developing countries is therefore improving steadily, but not dramatically. However, the HIV/AIDS epidemic is dramatically reducing life expectancy in the worst affected countries. By 2010, life expectancy in many African countries will fall to around 30 years of age, levels not seen since the end of the nineteenth century. The demographic impact outside Africa will be less severe but still significant.

Maternal Health

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many mothers (a) died and (b) suffered injury or disability through childbirth in each developing country in the last year for which figures are available.

Hilary Benn: Maternal mortality is difficult to measure. As a result, WHO, UNICEF and UNFPA have developed an approach to estimating maternal mortality that generates estimates for countries with no data and corrects available data for underreporting and misclassification. They estimate that there were 527,000 maternal deaths in the year 2000 in developing countries, where 99.6 per cent. of all maternal deaths occur. The latest country estimates for the year 2000 have been placed in the Libraries of the House under the title "Maternal Mortality Estimates in 2000". The number of maternal deaths is listed in the fourth column.
	Measuring and classifying the numbers of women who suffer injury or disability as a result of pregnancy and childbirth is even more challenging. Estimates from WHO, UNICEF and UNFPA for 1995 suggest that 300 million women worldwide (including 25 per cent. of the developing world's adult women) suffer from ill health and disability as a result of complications of pregnancy. WHO is currently conducting a review of published and unpublished studies in an attempt to provide a comprehensive tabulation of available data on the prevalence and incidence of global maternal morbidity.
	DFID is also working with partners to develop and use improved ways of measuring the extent of maternal mortality.
	A copy of the report and latest estimates of maternal mortality developed by WHO, UNICEF and UNFPA is available at: http://www.who.int/reproductive-health/publications/maternal mortality 2000/maternal mortality 2000.pdf

Maternal Health

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what proportion of births were assisted by skilled births assistants in sub-Saharan Africa in each of the last 10 years.

Hilary Benn: The proportion of women in Sub-Saharan Africa who gave birth with the assistance of a skilled health worker (the internationally agreed maternal mortality indicator) increased slightly from 40 per cent. in 1990 to 42 per cent. by 2000.
	Annual figures for sub-Saharan Africa as a whole are not available.
	More information and individual country data can be found by accessing UNICEF's statistical database at http://www.childinfo.org/index2.htm.

Millennium Development Goals

Julia Drown: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether his Department estimates that Tanzania will achieve the millennium development goals.

Hilary Benn: Recent reports indicate that Tanzania has the potential to meet the millennium development goals on poverty, HIV/AIDS, and environmental resources. Progress has been disappointing on the maternal and child health goals. There is insufficient data to indicate progress on access to safe water, but there are encouraging signs of progress. In the past two years, there has been significant progress towards the education target, with hugely increased numbers of children entering the first grade of Primary School. The supportive environment in Tanzania is improving.

Millennium Development Goals

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will list his estimated expenditure on pursuit of the millennium development goals in (a) 2001–02, (b) 2002–03, (c) 2003–04, (d) 2004–05 and (e) 2005–06.

Hilary Benn: DFID's aim is to eliminate poverty and achieve the Millennium Development Goals. With the exception of funds voted to DFID to fulfil its legal commitments to provide pensions to former expatriate colonial civil and public servants, we use all of our resources for eliminating poverty in poorer countries and for preventing and reducing conflict. The information in the table updates the figures published in DFID's Annual Report 2003, where a further breakdown is available:
	
		DFID Resource Budget -- £ million
		
			  Eliminating poverty in poorer countries Overseas superannuation Total resource budget 
		
		
			 2001–02 outturn 3,174 59 3,233 
			 2002–03 outturn 3,614 56 3,671 
			 2003–04 plans 3,756 60 3,816 
			 2004–05 plans 3,780 57 3,837 
			 2005–06 plans 4,533 54 4,587

Poverty

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will list the countries in which some people live on $1 per day or less.

Hilary Benn: A comprehensive list of such countries has not been published as for many there is insufficient information to make robust estimates. However most if not all low and middle income countries can be expected to have some people living on less than $1 a day. Where country estimates exist the details are set out in table 1.1 of the annual publication 'Statistics on International Development' a copy of which is in the House of Commons Library.

Primary Education

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what proportion of children in each developing country receive no education.

Hilary Benn: The most recent Education For All Global Monitoring Report, published by UNESCO in November this year, estimated that 104 million children of primary school age were not enrolled in school in 2000, 96 per cent. in developing countries. Most of the out-of-school children are concentrated in the countries of sub-Saharan Africa and south and west Asia.
	I have placed in the Library lists of the primary net enrolment ratio and the corresponding percentage of primary school-age children not enrolled in school in 2000. The list is called "Education Enrolment in Developing Countries, 2000", and has figures for each country where comparable data are available. The table shows that for developing countries as a whole, 17.9 per cent. of primary school-age children were not enrolled in school in 2000.
	The Education For All Global Monitoring Report 2003–04, containing these data, is available at: http://www.efareport.unesco.org

Primary Education

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what percentage of primary age children enrolled in primary school in sub-Saharan Africa in each of the last 10 years.

Hilary Benn: Due to the difficulties of collecting reliable and comparable data consistently across the whole of sub-Saharan Africa there are not internationally agreed figures for primary school enrolment for each of the last 10 years. However the most recent Education For All Global Monitoring Report published by UNESCO in November this year has a comparison of the Net Enrolment Ratio (NER) for most countries in sub-Saharan Africa between 1990 and 2000.
	These figures show that in sub-Saharan Africa enrolment has improved but only slightly. In 1990, 55 per cent. of primary school age children were enrolled; in 2000 58 per cent. were enrolled. Within these figures there is wide variation by regions—from 89 per cent. in South Africa to 30 per cent. in Niger in the year 2000.
	The Education For All Global Monitoring Report 2003–04, containing these data, is available at http://www.efareport.unesco.org

Primary Education

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the ratio of girls to boys enrolled in primary school in sub-Saharan Africa was in 2003–04; and what it is expected to be in 2005–06.

Hilary Benn: Due to the difficulties of collecting reliable and comparable data consistently across the whole of sub-Saharan Africa the most recent internationally agreed figures for gender parity are for 2000. These are in the most recent Education For All Global Monitoring Report published by UNESCO in November this year.
	In 2000, there were 88 girls to every 100 boys in primary school classrooms in sub-Saharan Africa. This figure is the number of children of any age enrolled in primary school (the gross enrolment ratio).
	There is no predicted ratio of boys to girls for 2005–06. However the Global Monitoring report estimates that of 128 countries for which data are available, 35 countries are not likely to meet the 2005 goal of gender parity in primary education. 19 of these are in sub-Saharan Africa.
	The Education For All Global Monitoring Report 2003–04, containing this data, is available at http://www.efareport.unesco.org.

Sanitation/Water

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what proportion of families in each developing country are without access to water supplies or basic sanitation.

Hilary Benn: Information on the percentage of the population without access to an improved water supply and improved sanitation is set out in the 2003 World Development Indicators Book, published by the World Bank. I have placed a table called "Improved Water and Sanitation" in the Libraries of the Houses.

NORTHERN IRELAND

Moylinn Medical Centre (Security)

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps he will take to respond to attacks on medical staff at the out-of-hours GP co-operative based at Moylinn, Craigavon; and what plans he has to relocate the co-operative.

Angela Smith: The Southern Health and Social Services Board (SHSSB) and the Association of Southern Areas Doctors On Call (ASADOC), which runs the Moylinn Medical Centre, are collaborating to improve security at the centre. Fencing around the centre has already been improved and both CCTV and alarm systems have been installed. Meetings have also been held with the local police with a view to improving security and local representatives have been asked to do all they can to minimise attacks in the future.
	The SHSSB and ASADOC are currently considering several options to relocate the centre and final decisions are expected in the near future.

British-Irish Interparliamentary Conference

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the (a) matters discussed and (b) decisions taken at the 27th British-Irish Interparliamentary conference; and if he will place in the Library the report on Sellafield discussed at the conference.

John Spellar: The British-Irish Interparliamentary Body (BIIPB) held its 27th Plenary session between 19–21 October this year. As an Interparliamentary Body, the BIIPB is independent of Government and, as such, it would not be appropriate for me to offer a statement on the matters discussed nor on the decisions taken. The minutes and a full verbatim account of the open sessions will, I understand, be posted on the body's website in due course. A copy of the report on Sellafield has been placed in the Library.

Carpets International

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what his policy is on the use of the land occupied by Carpets International (UK) Ltd. in Donaghadee, should it be unsuccessful in attracting a buyer.

Angela Smith: In considering the current use of this site, the need to provide an appropriate level of employment opportunity in Donaghadee, and the lack of readily available alternatives, the Department of the Environment proposed that the land should be retained for industrial use. This is reflected in the recently published Draft Ards and Down Area Plan 2015.

Coagulometers

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland pursuant to the answer of 20 October 2003, Official Report, column 420W, on anti-coagulants, what effect the results of the home use trial of coagulometers by Roche Ltd. will have on current practice.

Angela Smith: Further work is being undertaken nationally to assess the effectiveness of self-testing and to develop clinical guidelines on the appropriate selection of patients suitable to undertake self-management. The Department will not be issuing guidance about the further development of self-monitoring until this work has been completed.

Decommissioning

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent (a) meetings and (b) discussions he has had with (i) Unionist politicians and (ii) others on decommissioning of arms held by Loyalist terrorists; and if he will make a statement.

John Spellar: We have talked about the issue of decommissioning by paramilitary organisations at a large number of meetings and discussions regarding the political process in Northern Ireland over recent weeks. Individual meetings and discussions are confidential, but we have consistently made clear our view that all paramilitary groups should engage with the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning with a view to putting arms beyond use in a manner which is conducive to creating public confidence.

Devolved Government

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on recent discussions with the Prime Minister of the Republic of Ireland on the restoration of devolved government in Northern Ireland.

John Spellar: I refer the hon. Member to the remarks my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland made on this subject at Northern Ireland oral questions in the House on 29 October.

Employment Tribunals

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much has been awarded since 1 November 2002 in Northern Ireland in costs as the result of employment tribunals; and what the average sum awarded was.

Jane Kennedy: The equivalents of Employment Tribunals in Northern Ireland are the Industrial Tribunals and the Fair Employment Tribunal. Costs may be awarded against any party if a tribunal decides that the party has acted scandalously, frivolously, vexatiously, abusively, disruptively or otherwise unreasonably.
	The information requested is not readily available and could be compiled only at disproportionate cost. Costs are awarded infrequently by the tribunals and they have normally been in the range £50 to £500.

Equality Commission

Eddie McGrady: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what discussions the Equality Commission has had with the Northern Ireland Office on the legality of the exclusion of Irish nationals from reserved posts.

Ian Pearson: There has been contact at official level between the Northern Ireland Office and the Equality Commission concerning the progress of the Crown Employment (Nationality) Bill, which was introduced on 28 January 2003.

EU Fisheries Council

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will ensure that the Minister of State with responsibility for Agriculture and Rural Development will be present throughout the negotiations at the EU Fisheries Council meeting.

Ian Pearson: I propose to attend the whole of the December Agriculture and Fisheries Council Meeting, although I should much prefer Northern Ireland's interests to be represented by a locally elected Minister.

EU Fisheries Council

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what lines of communication will be provided between the Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development and representatives of the Northern Ireland fishing industry during the negotiations at the EU Fisheries Council.

Ian Pearson: If a locally elected Minister cannot represent Northern Ireland at the December Agriculture and Fisheries Council, my senior officials and I will make every effort to keep local fishing industry representatives informed of developments throughout the proceedings.

General Practitioners

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to encourage trainee general practitioners to develop special interests.

Angela Smith: My Department has received a proposal to extend the GP Vocational Training programme by one year, to enable trainee GPs to develop special interests. The practicalities and funding implications of this proposal are currently being considered.

General Practitioners

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to encourage trainee general practitioners in Northern Ireland to develop an interest in the area of family planning.

Angela Smith: My Department has received a proposal to extend the GP Vocational Training programme by one year, to enable trainee GPs to develop special interests, including family planning. The practicalities and funding implications of this proposal are currently being considered.

General Practitioners

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps he is taking to encourage experienced senior house officers in hospitals in the Province to remain in Northern Ireland to complete their GP registrar year.

Angela Smith: Vocational Training for General Practice consists of three years, made up of two years in approved Senior House Officer posts in hospitals followed by one year in a GP Registrar post.
	The Department currently funds 40 GP Registrar posts per year, all of which, from this year, will be allocated to doctors participating in a three year integrated training programme. This means that there will be no new GP Registrar posts available for other Senior House Officers who are not in the three-year scheme and no arrangements are in place for such posts.
	At present there is no shortage of GPs in Northern Ireland and the numbers in training meet current demands. However, the number of GP Registrar posts available will be kept under review as part of the Department's workforce planning process.

Loyalist Terrorists

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of Loyalist terrorists' capacity to carry out (a) targeting, (b) intimidation and (c) racketeering activities in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: This information is only available from intelligence sources and it would be inappropriate for the Government to comment. We now call on all paramilitary organisations to bring a complete and permanent end to paramilitary activity in all its forms.

North/South Ministerial Council

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many times the North/South Ministerial Council has met as indicated in the 1998 Belfast Agreement (a) in Plenary format, (b) in specific sectoral formats, represented by the individual Ministers and (c) to consider cross-sectoral matters.

Paul Murphy: The North/South Ministerial Council, since its establishment in 1999, has met four times in Plenary format, once in Institutional format to consider cross-sectoral matters and 60 times in specific sectoral format.
	A breakdown of specific sectoral meetings is provided as follows:
	
		
			 Specific sectoral area Number of meetings 
		
		
			 Agriculture 7 
			 Education 4 
			 Environment 6 
			 Aquaculture and Marine 8 
			 Health and Food Safety 5 
			 Language 4 
			 Special EU Programmes 7 
			 Tourism 5 
			 Trade and Business Development 7 
			 Transport 2 
			 Inland Waterways 5 
			 Total 60

Prisons

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the breakdown is of prison custody visitors by (a) perceived community origin and (b) sex.

Jane Kennedy: There are currently a total of 50 Board of Visitors/Visiting Committee members in post. The breakdowns are as follows:
	
		
			  Breakdown 
		
		
			 Perceived community origin  
			 Protestant 29 
			 Roman Catholic 15 
			 Not known 6 
			   
			 Sex  
			 Male 26 
			 Female 24

Prisons

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the cost of the prison custody visitors scheme was in 2002; and what proportion of this comprises (a) remuneration, (b) travel and (c) other expenses incurred by the visitors.

Jane Kennedy: The total expenditure for the Board of Visitors/Visiting Committee in Northern Ireland for the financial year 2002–03 was £51,751.00. Of this, £39,000 was for travel and subsistence. Members are volunteers and do not receive remuneration.

Prisons

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what administrative support is available to teams of prison custody visitors.

Jane Kennedy: Each Board/Committee is supported by a part-time Clerk at local level. There is also a small team at Prison Service Headquarters who provide administrative support for all three boards.

Prisons

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the procedural mechanisms are for addressing (a) general matters of prison administration and (b) expressions of concern about individual prisoners; and what mechanisms are available to monitor (i) responses and (ii) implementation.

Jane Kennedy: Concerns regarding both general matters of prison administration and concerns regarding individual prisoners can be raised with staff informally, or formally with the Governor at the monthly meeting. If possible, the Governor responds at the meeting, or the query is recorded and the response provided at the next monthly meeting, or before then if urgent. All queries are formally recorded in the minutes of the meeting.
	If members are not satisfied with the response they receive, or the action taken by the Governor, they can raise the matter with Prison Service Headquarters or ultimately the Secretary of State.
	The Boards submit an annual report to the Secretary of State each year. In the interests of openness and transparency, this report is now made available to the general public.

Salmon

David Burnside: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the impact on wild salmon stocks of salmon fish farms in Northern Ireland.

Angela Smith: The occurrence of escaped farmed salmon in Northern Ireland's commercial salmon catches is examined annually. The largest occurrence was in 2001, when 9.1 per cent. of the commercial catch was farmed fish. The 10-year average, excluding the year 2001, is 1.4 per cent.
	Occurrences of escaped farmed salmon in freshwater are also monitored at the trap on the River Bush, where the 10-year average of farmed salmon as a total of trapped fish is 0.7 per cent.
	The only detailed information available on the genetic impact of farmed salmon on wild salmon stocks has been undertaken in two surveys of the Glenarm River in 1990–91 and in 1997. The surveys showed that the genetic status of the wild population was significantly changed indicating that cross breeding with farmed salmon had taken place.
	Further scientific studies have commenced on the River Bush catchment on the potential consequences of genetic change in the wild population caused by interbreeding with farmed salmon in terms of long-term productivity. No results are yet available and such studies are likely to be case specific.

Salmon

Jeffrey M Donaldson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether the number of salmon spawning in each river in the Foyle system has reached the numbers recommended by P. F. Elson and A. L. W. Tuomi in their report of 1975, the Foyle Fisheries, New Basis for Rational Management.

Ian Pearson: The target numbers of salmon spawning in each river in the Foyle System recommended by Elson and Tuomi in their 1975 report have been met. A comparison of these numbers together with the number of salmon passing through the relevant fish counters in the years 2000–02 is set out in the following table.
	
		Foyle rivers
		
			Number of salmonpassing through fishcounter (year) 
			 River system Elson and Tuomi spawning targets 2000 2001 2002 
		
		
			  
			  
			 Faughan and tributaries upstream of fish counter 590 2,551 1,518 4,228 
			 Roe and tributaries upstream of fish counter 1,222 1,433 3,265 5,459 
			 Mourne and tributaries upstream of fish counter 4,276 4,690 6,250 12,991

Social Housing

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many units of social housing properties were vacant in each of the last five years in each local government area.

John Spellar: The following table details the number of vacant Northern Ireland Housing Executive properties by District Council Area over the five-year period 1998–99 to 2002–03.
	Statistics for housing association vacant properties are not held in the form requested. However, the total number of vacant housing association properties over the same five-year period was:
	31 March 1999: 917
	31 March 2000: 1,157
	31 March 2001: 1,002
	31 March 2002: 1,076
	31 March 2003: 1,208
	
		Housing Executive vacant properties
		
			 District council 31 March 1999 31 March 2000 31 March 2001 31 March 2002 31 March 2003 
		
		
			 Belfast 1,872 2,000 2,179 1,835 2,146 
			 North Down 104 108 151 207 162 
			 Ards 94 78 121 156 153 
			 Castlereagh 198 228 286 350 323 
			 Lisburn 223 290 322 249 354 
			 Down 108 163 59 61 73 
			 Banbridge 74 46 63 54 61 
			 Newry and Mourne 74 109 109 137 167 
			 Armagh 90 98 113 124 121 
			 Craigavon 485 580 523 496 472 
			 Dungannon 69 80 118 136 159 
			 Fermanagh 21 22 19 43 38 
			 Ballymena 275 366 329 270 262 
			 Antrim 107 187 193 147 184 
			 Newtownabbey 306 343 240 277 340 
			 Carrick 138 235 279 304 225 
			 Larne 117 168 255 341 227 
			 Moyle 10 19 15 13 17 
			 Ballymoney 59 44 31 36 29 
			 Coleraine 122 202 240 203 270 
			 Derry 129 191 211 205 176 
			 Limavady 24 15 20 16 29 
			 Magherafelt 6 24 30 31 29 
			 Strabane 13 21 25 40 35 
			 Omagh 60 121 86 146 159 
			 Cookstown 40 32 46 55 57 
			 Total 4,818 5,770 6,063 5,932 6,268

Strategic Investment Body

John Hume: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the progress to date of the Strategic Investment Body (SIB) in improving the profile and performance of the capital expenditure programme across the Northern Ireland Civil Service; and what assessment he has made of whether the departments are working effectively with the SIB on (a) an individual and (b) a collaborative basis.

Ian Pearson: Since its inception in April 2003, the SIB has made considerable progress in improving the profile and performance of Northern Ireland's capital expenditure programme. By April 2004, SIB expects to have two to three times the value of PPP projects out to market than had been signed in the previous eleven years in Northern Ireland. An early priority project, a new Invest NI Headquarters, is expected to be signed by June 2004, following a fast procurement period at the top end of HM Treasury performance averages. With the assistance of SIB, the Department of Finance and Personnel has created a new and strong incentive scheme designed to encourage departments to be more active in managing their asset bases. In its first six months of operation, therefore, the SIB has already developed effective working relationships with a number of departments and I am sure that its impact will continue to grow as we work to improve Northern Ireland's infrastructure.

University Capital Expenditure

John Hume: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what Government capital expenditure on buildings used for teaching and research, not including expenditure on science and business parks and incubators, was for each year since 1992 on each of the campuses of (a) the University of Ulster and (b) Queen's University Belfast.

Jane Kennedy: Bearing in mind the range of sources for government or government-derived funding not all of which are within Northern Ireland, it would not be possible to provide an answer without incurring disproportionate cost.

Urology Consultants

Roy Beggs: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many urology consultants are employed by the Northern Ireland Health Service; and what the average waiting time to see a urology consultant is in each health trust.

Angela Smith: The number of urology consultants employed by Health and Social Services Trusts are given in the following table.
	
		Table 1: Number of urology consultants employed by Health and Social Services Trusts, as at 6 November 2003
		
			 HSS(8) Trust Headcount WTE(9) 
		
		
			 Altnagelvin Group HSS Trust 2 1.91 
			 Armagh and Dungannon HSS Trust 0 0.00 
			 Belfast City Hospital HSS Trust 6 4.82 
			 Causeway HSS Trust (10)0 0.00 
			 Craigavon and Banbridge Community HSS Trust 0 0.00 
			 Craigavon Area Hospital Group HSS Trust 2 2.00 
			 Down Lisburn HSS Trust (11)1 n/a 
			 Foyle Community HSS Trust 0 0.00 
			 Green Park Healthcare HSS Trust 0 0.00 
			 Homefirst Community HSS Trust 0 0.00 
			 Mater Infirmorum Hospital HSS Trust 1 1.00 
			 Newry and Mourne HSS Trust 0 0.00 
			 North and West Belfast HSS Trust 0 0.00 
			 Royal Group of Hospitals HSS Trust (12)0 0.00 
			 South and East Belfast HSS Trust 0 0.00 
			 Sperrin Lakeland HSS Trust 0 0.00 
			 Ulster Community and Hospitals Group HSS Trust 2 1.40 
			 United Hospitals Group HSS Trust (13)3 n/a 
			 Total 17 n/a 
		
	
	(8) Health and Social Services.
	(9) Whole-time Equivalent.
	(10) Causeway HSS Trust has a urology service level agreement with Belfast City Hospital—the consultant who works in Causeway HSS Trust is employed by Belfast City Hospital Trust.
	(11) Within Down Lisburn HSS Trust the consultant within General Surgery performs operations within Urology—the whole-time equivalent cannot be defined as it varies.
	(12) There are no consultants employed in the area of urology by Royal Group of Hospitals HSS Trust—0.45 WTE is provided to the Royal Group of Hospitals HSS Trust by Belfast City Hospital HSS Trust.
	(13) United Hospitals Group HSS Trust—There are three general surgery consultants who provide some sessional commitment in the area of urology—any activity is recorded under general surgery and not urology.
	Note:
	Information on waiting lists and waiting times is collected on the basis of time bands. It is not possible to derive an average from this information.
	Source:
	Human Resource Management System
	
		Table 2: Percentage of patients waiting for a first out-patient appointment with a urology consultant in Northern Ireland, at 30 June 2003
		
			  Time waiting (Months)(Percentage) 
			 Provider Trust 0–2 3–11 12–17 18–23 24+ Total 
		
		
			 The Royal Group of Hospitals HSS Trust 50.0 50.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 92 
			 Belfast City Hospital HSS Trust 40.2 56.0 3.1 0.6 0.1 1,264 
			 Ulster Community and Hospitals HSS Trust 91.7 8.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 144 
			 Down and Lisburn HSS Trust 16.4 14.2 33.2 31.0 5.2 232 
			 Mater Infirmorum HSS Trust 30.9 63.5 3.6 1.4 0.6 644 
			 Causeway HSS Trust 18.0 30.9 17.8 10.5 22.8 916 
			 Craigavon Area Hospital HSS Trust 17.1 31.6 16.6 10.2 24.6 1,182 
			 Altnagelvin Area Hospitals HSS Trust 25.3 53.0 15.2 5.6 0.9 1,091 
			 Northern Ireland 28.1 43.9 11.9 6.6 9.5 5,565 
		
	
	Source:
	CH3

DEFENCE

First World War (Passchendaele)

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has received on repatriating remains of soldiers fallen in the First World War near the trenches found at the site of the new Passchendaele motorway near Ypres.

Ivor Caplin: I am not aware of any representations.

Armed Forces

Paul Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when last questioned, how many (a) RAF, (b) Army and (c) Navy personnel said that overstretch was causing problems in their working; what question was asked; how many responded to each option; what percentage of those asked to respond this represents; and if he will make a statement.

Ivor Caplin: holding answer 13 November 2003
	All three Services conduct continuous attitude surveys (CASs) of serving personnel to ascertain attitudes towards a range of Service conditions.
	In the Naval Service CAS there are currently no questions specifically mentioning or using the term 'overstretch'.
	The last survey of Army serving personnel was sent out in December 2002 and the RAF CASs results in July 2003.
	I intend to write to the hon. Member shortly with the results and a copy will be placed in the Library of the House.

Armed Forces

Alan Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the effect of increased rates of childhood obesity on the ability of the armed forces to recruit sufficient numbers of young people in the past 10 years.

Ivor Caplin: In Financial Year 2002–03, the total armed forces intake from civilian life exceeded the recruiting target. Consequently, the apparent increase in the rates of childhood obesity in recent years has had no marked impact to date on the armed forces ability to recruit sufficient numbers of capable young people.

Armed Forces

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what statistical information analysis of recruitment patterns for each of HM Armed Forces is based.

Ivor Caplin: Armed Forces personnel data are compiled from pay and personnel records held by the Armed Forces Pay Administration Agency (AFPAA). These records are supplemented from other sources to improve the quality of the data on, for example, the ethnic origin of new recruits.
	Information on potential recruits is compiled from data collected during the application process. This is held on each Service's Training Administration and Financial Management System (TAFMIS). Records are updated with more information at each stage of the recruitment process, from enquiry through to selection.

Asbestos-related Diseases

Colin Breed: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many ex-servicemen and women have presented with asbestos-related diseases (ARDs); how many more the Government forecasts will present with ARDs; and if he will make a statement.

Ivor Caplin: holding answer 10 June 2003
	I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Congo

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what contribution will be made by the UK to the multi-national rapid reaction force to the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Adam Ingram: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Defence Agencies

Elfyn Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  if he will list the location of each of the defence agencies headquarters; how many staff each employs; what the annual expenditure of each was in the last year for which figures are available; and how much was spent in Wales;
	(2)  what the expenditure was of each defence agency (a) in total and (b) in Scotland in the last available year; and how many staff were employed by each agency (i) in total and (ii) in Wales in that year.

Ivor Caplin: The location of defence agency headquarters, the total number of staff employed by each agency as at 1 April 2003 and agency net operating costs for financial year 2002–03 are available in a supplementary document to the Ministry of Defence's Annual Report and Accounts 2002–03. This is available at www.mod.uk/linked files/publications/pdr2002 2003/agencies03.pdf.
	Figures for civilian personnel employed by Defence agencies in Wales are provided in the table below. Information on agency expenditure in Wales and Scotland, and the number of Service personnel employed by agencies in Wales, is not held centrally and can only be provided at disproportionate cost.
	The number of staff employed in Wales (full-time equivalent figures for industrial and non-industrial, permanent staff, excluding Royal Fleet Auxiliaries and those on career breaks, long term sick leave, secondments etc), by executive agencies as at 1 April 2003:
	
		Civilian Staff employed as at 1 April 2003
		
			  
		
		
			 Army Personnel Centre — 
			 Army Training and Recruiting Agency 140 
			 British Forces Post Office 10 
			 Defence Communication Services Agency 10 
			 Defence Dental Agency — 
			 Defence Estates 20 
			 Defence Housing Executive 10 
			 Defence Procurement Agency — 
			 Defence Storage and Distribution Agency 190 
			 Ministry of Defence Police — 
			 Naval Recruiting and Training Agency 10 
			 RAF Training Group Defence Agency 140 
			 Veterans Agency 10 
			  
			 Trading Funds  
			 ABRO 20 
			 Defence Aviation Repair Agency 2,770 
			 Defence Science and Technology — 
			 Laboratory  
			 Meteorological Office 40 
		
	
	Those agencies and Trading Funds that are not referred to do not have staff employed in Wales. Data have been rounded to the nearest 10 to preserve confidentiality and those with fewer than five staff are recorded as —.

Defence Dental Agency

Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library a copy of the unpublished 1997–98 annual report and accounts for the Defence Dental Agency.

Ivor Caplin: The 1997–98 annual report and accounts was never published as a stand-alone document, in fact, it was included in the 1999 annual report and accounts, which covered the period from 1 April 1997 to 31 March 1999. The reason that there was this two-year report was that HM Treasury had withdrawn the Defence Dental Agency's Accounts Direction for 1997–98.
	A copy of the 1997–99 annual report and accounts was placed in the Library but I am arranging for a further copy to be provided.

Defence Personnel (Scotland)

David Marshall: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many defence-related jobs there are in each constituency in Scotland.

Adam Ingram: United Kingdom Defence Statistics 2003 contains the numbers of service and Ministry of Defence civilian personnel in Scotland at 1 July 2000. Tri-Service Publication 10, produced by the Defence Analytical Services Agency, contains data on service personnel by local authority region. Both publications are available in the Library of the House.
	The exact number of defence related jobs in each constituency in Scotland, including those related to defence expenditure by MOD on goods and services and defence export contracts in Scotland, is not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Staff

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his answer of 20 October 2003, Official Report, columns 373–74W, on departmental staff, what function previously performed in the Deputy Chief of Defence Staff Commitments (P&P) area was transferred to the private sector; what the procedure was (a) leading up to the decision for the transfer to be undertaken and (b) from the time of the decision for the transfer to be undertaken to the handover to the private sector; what companies participated in the process; what commitments in relation to job maintenance in Scotland were (i) sought and (ii) given as part of the transfer; and if he will make a statement.

Ivor Caplin: Personnel, Pay and Pensions Administration (PPPA) functions within the Army Personnel Centre, Kentigern House, Glasgow were transferred to Electronic Data Systems (EDS) under a partnering arrangement with the Armed Forces Personnel Administration Agency (AFPAA).
	PPPA functions for the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force have been undertaken by EDS since 1998, the negotiations for which included an agreement that the same functions would subsequently be provided for the Army. As such, no other commercial companies participated in the process of the Army transfer. The contract with EDS was awarded following a competitive selection in which a number of companies took part.
	Ministry of Defence personnel transferred to EDS under the terms of the Transfer of Undertaking (Protection of Employment) (TUPE) Regulations 1981, and formal consultation with the MOD Trade Unions took place. Personnel affected continue to carry out the functions transferred at Kentigern House, Glasgow.

Maintenance Projects

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many equipment (a) maintenance, (b) repair and (c) refit projects were (i) planned for and (ii) undertaken in each month of the current year in each of the branches of the armed forces in (A) England, (B) Wales, (C) Northern Ireland and (D) each of the bases in Scotland; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: I will write to my hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Maintenance Projects

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much was spent at each of the military bases in Scotland in each month in 2003 on equipment (a) maintenance, (b) repair and (c) refit; what percentage this represents of each base's maintenance and repair budget; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: This information is not held centrally in the form requested and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Ex-service Personnel

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what provisions he will make for the welfare of ex-service personnel after the Gulf conflict.

Ivor Caplin: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Global Security

Colin Breed: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the potential overlap between European future research programmes on global security and UK national defence programmes; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 23 June 2003
	I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Illicit Arms Purchases

Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the proportion of (a) injuries and (b) fatalities caused to United Kingdom forces from illicitly purchased arms in the last five years.

Adam Ingram: I will write to my hon. Friend and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Iraq

Tony Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of the Territorial Army strength has been mobilised for deployment in Iraq since the beginning of the conflict.

Adam Ingram: As at 17 November 2003, approximately 17 per cent. of the Territorial Army have been mobilised for deployment in Iraq since the beginning of the conflict.

Iraq

Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions there have been with the US Government regarding the use of (a) anti-personnel mines and (b) cluster munitions in a possible conflict with Iraq.

Adam Ingram: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Iraq

Paul Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the components were of British manufacture in the two vehicles found in Iraq and suspected of being involved in the production of weapons of mass destruction; which companies produced them; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 14 October 2003
	I am withholding details of components and companies under Exemption 1 b and 1 c of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information, which relate to international relations and information received in confidence from foreign Governments.

Iraq

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what contingency plans the UK has, in conjunction with the international community, to limit Iraqi civilian casualties in the event of the use of (a) chemical and (b) biological weapons in the event of war.

Geoff Hoon: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Iraq

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list those categories of weapons held by UK forces which will not be permitted for use in the event of a war involving UK forces and Iraq.

Adam Ingram: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Iraq

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what financial resources are available to the UK armed forces for the administration of the British sector of Iraq.

Adam Ingram: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Iraq

Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the use of experimental weapons by the US forces in the war in Iraq.

Geoff Hoon: This is a matter for the US Department of Defence.

Iraq

Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what experimental weapons systems were tested in the war in Iraq.

Geoff Hoon: United Kingdom Armed Forces did not specifically test any experimental weapons during military operations in Iraq. However, a number of weapons systems were used by UK Armed Forces for the first time including: Storm Shadow—an air launched conventionally armed precision stand off weapon.
	Maverick—an air launched anti armour precision guided weapon.

Iraq

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether UK personnel in Iraq have received special training on the protection and rights of women and girls in armed conflict situations in line with the commitments in United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325; and what discussions he has had with his US counterpart about their implementation of these commitments.

Adam Ingram: I will write to my hon. Friend and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

KPMG

Peter Kilfoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many contracts his Department has awarded to KPMG since 1997.

Adam Ingram: I will write to my hon. Friend and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Letter of Intent Framework

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects the working groups set up under the Letter of Intent framework to report; and if he will make a statement.

Geoff Hoon: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Low Flying

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish the latest advice to RAF pilots undertaking low-flying training in the Gloucester and Severn Valley area.

Ivor Caplin: I will write to my hon. Friend and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Market Research

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list each item of market and opinion research commissioned since May 1997 by (a) his Department and (b) agencies and non-departmental public bodies for which his Department is responsible; what the purpose of each item was; and whether the results were published.

Ivor Caplin: I refer the hon. Member to the previous answer given on 28 April 2003, Official Report, columns 57–58W by my hon. friend the Member for Kirkcaldy (Dr Moonie).
	The central corporate communications division carries out public opinion research relating to the Ministry of Defence as a whole and the main findings of the most recent research were included in the MOD's Annual Report, HC1125–Page 38; a copy of the Report is available in the Library of the House.

Married Couples' Rights

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what rights only married couples have in (a) housing on military bases, (b) pensions and other employment-related benefits, (c) notification when a spouse has died or has been injured in military action, (d) war pensions and other benefits and (e) war graves.

Ivor Caplin: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Medical Discharges

Paul Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many medical discharges there were from each of the three services in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement.

Ivor Caplin: The numbers of medical discharges from the armed forces (both trained and untrained United Kingdom regular personnel) between 1997 and 2002 are as follows:
	
		Medical discharges in the armed forces: 1997–2002
		
			 Year Navy Army RAF Total 
		
		
			 1997 354 1,067 223 1,644 
			 1998 448 1,060 155 1,663 
			 1999 456 1,100 189 1,745 
			 2000 484 1,024 201 1,709 
			 2001 413 1,004 195 1,612 
			 2002(14) 391 1,008 145 1,544 
		
	
	(14) Figures for 2002 have not yet been finalised and may be subject to alteration.
	Medical discharges in the services reflect the different fitness levels required by each service, and the employment policy of each service. Because of these factors medical discharges should not be taken as absolute indicators of the health status of service personnel. Similarly, because of the different requirements of the three services, inter-service comparisons may not be valid.

Ministerial Visits

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the (a) foreign and (b) UK visits he has made since 1 April; what the cost was to public funds of each trip; who he met; and what gifts he has received.

Ivor Caplin: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

MOD Police

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the work on surge capacity referred to in the consultative document issued in response to the Ministry of Defence Police Quinquennial Review First Stage Report will be completed; and what the reasons are for the delay in completing the work.

Ivor Caplin: Work on surge capacity has been completed. Recommendations to deliver an increase in capability have been made and the additional funding needed for this enhanced capability is being considered as one of the bids in the Department's current planning and resource allocation round. The outcome of this will not be known before the end of the year.

National Minimum Wage

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the estimated cost is in 2003–04 to his Department, agencies and the non-departmental public bodies for which he is responsible of the increase in the national minimum wage from £4.20 per hour to £4.50 per hour.

Adam Ingram: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Naval Ships

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what quantities of (a) oil, (b) oily ballast water, (c) asbestos, (d) polychlorinated biphenyl, (e) biohazards, (f) ozone-depleting substances, (g) mercury, (h) cadmium and (i) chromium and lead-based paints are present on Her Majesty's ships (i) Fearless, (ii) Intrepid, (iii) Brave, (iv) Boxer, (v) Rame Head and (vi) RFA Sir Geraint; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: Information is not held in the format requested for all of the vessels. However, the following substances have been identified on Intrepid in preparation for her sale:
	(a) Residual diesel fuel in pipes and systems—estimated 4,000 litres. Residual mineral oil in sumps and pipework—estimated 2,000 litres;
	(b) Oily ballast water—all tanks cleaned and flushed with water;
	(c) Asbestos—up to an estimated 40 tons;
	(d) Polychlorinated biphenyl/triphenyl (PCB/PCT)—trace; no liquid PCB;
	(e) Biohazards—none identified;
	(f) Ozone-depleting substances—all main refrigerant gases removed; balance to be removed before disposal;
	(g) Mercury—none known;
	(h) Cadmium—minimal (plating on fastenings);
	(i) Chromium and lead-based paints—not known.
	HMS Fearless is the sister-ship to HMS Intrepid and she is similar in every respect.
	HMS Boxer and HMS Brave have been designated as target ships for a Cincfleet High Seas Firing and have already been stripped of much of their equipment. As part of the preparatory planning work for the firing, an Environmental Impact Assessment is being undertaken to provide the necessary environmental assurances. These rigorous preparatory steps will ensure that we are able to comply with the international conventions that regulate protection of the marine environment, and we will be required to demonstrate before the exercise takes place that those materials subject to regulation have been removed from the ships.
	Ramehead and RFA Sir Geraint remain in operational service. Ramehead is used as a static training vessel. Sir Geraint is held in a reduced readiness state, has been defuelled and there is no oily ballast water on board. Both vessels have been the subject of extensive asbestos surveys and some asbestos has been removed in accordance with Health & Safety Executive directives. The surveys indicate the type of asbestos and where it is fitted, but not the quantities. Three years ago, the outer bottom of Ramehead was pressure-blasted back to bare metal and re-coated using commercial paint products. Similar products have been used throughout the life of Sir Geraint.
	Prior to the disposal of Sir Geraint and Ramehead, as part of the preparations for sale, further surveys will be undertaken to identify any remaining hazardous materials and a waste statement will be produced.

Naval Ships

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what (a) Royal Navy ships and (b) Royal Fleet Auxiliaries have been sold for scrapping overseas in each year since 1997; in which countries they were scrapped; and what toxic materials were present on these vessels.

Adam Ingram: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Nuclear Test Veterans

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many ex-service personnel have been awarded pensions within the last year as a result of health problems resulting from their service on (a) Christmas Island and (b) other nuclear test sites.

Ivor Caplin: From the information held within the Veterans Agency, it is only possible to distinguish two groups. The first is for service on Christmas/Maiden Island (South Pacific). The second is for other nuclear site tests.
	Pensions are awarded if disablement is assessed at 20 per cent. or more; if less than 20 per cent. a single gratuity payment is awarded. Over the last year (April—March 2003) there were no cases awarded for 20 per cent. and above for Christmas Island/Maiden Island and two cases were awarded for less than 20 per cent. Over the same period for the second category, five cases were awarded 20 per cent. and above and none were awarded for under 20 per cent.

Nuclear Weapons

Alan Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence under what sections of the 1970 Non-Proliferation Treaty the collaborative work between AWE and weapons laboratories in the United States is being undertaken.

Ivor Caplin: I will write to my hon. Friend and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Operation Telic

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether morphine, and antidotes to provide post attack therapy against nerve agents, were available to all front line personnel serving on Operation Telic.

Ivor Caplin: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Overseas Deployments

Jim Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many British troops are deployed in (a) East Timor, (b) the Democratic Republic of the Congo and (c) Kuwait.

Adam Ingram: The UK currently has no service personnel deployed in East Timor. Five service personnel are deployed in the Democratic Republic of Congo and around 260 personnel are deployed in Kuwait.

Performance Monitoring

Howard Flight: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the total cost was of (a) setting, (b) monitoring and (c) measuring the performance targets for his Department in 2002–03; and how many and what grades of civil servants monitor these targets.

Ivor Caplin: Performance targets for the department were agreed as part of Spending Review 2002. The monitoring and measurement of PSA targets forms part of departmental performance management. Performance management is an integral part of the day to day running of the Department, and covers a wide range of data for internal management purposes in addition to that required for PSA monitoring. Monitoring and measuring performance is therefore undertaken by a wide variety of staff at all levels of the organisation, and it is not possible to separate out discrete costs. The Department's top level performance management system, including reports against PSA targets, is co-ordinated by a dedicated section of five civilian and military personnel within the Directorate of Performance and Analysis in the Ministry of Defence Head Office.

Personal Injuries Scheme

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has received about the Personal Injuries (Civilians) Amendment Scheme.

Ivor Caplin: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Service Accommodation

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much money has been spent upgrading and building accommodation for the junior ranks of the (a) Army, (b) Royal Navy and (c) Royal Air Force in each of the last three years; what is to be provided in the forward programme; and if he will make a statement.

Ivor Caplin: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Social Conduct Code

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what guidance has been issued by the Director General of Service Personnel Policy based on the reviewed Code of Social Conduct; and if he will place a copy in the Library.

Ivor Caplin: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Submarines

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many SSNs would be capable of continuous deployment in cycles based on an SSN fleet of (a) four, (b) five and (c) six such boats.

Adam Ingram: The number of Royal Navy attack submarines required to maintain a continuous deployment depends on the nature of the deployment and the operational circumstances pertaining at the time. In the future, the new Astute class will bring improved capability and increased availability for Royal Navy SSN deployments.

Surplus Arms Stores (Developing Countries)

Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the effects on the security of British soldiers deployed overseas of measures to reduce surplus arms stores in developing countries.

Adam Ingram: I will write to my hon. Friend and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Sustainable Development

Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what remit relating to sustainable development is required by his Department's (a) executive agencies, (b) advisory non-departmental bodies, (c) executive non-departmental bodies, (d) tribunals, (e) public corporations and (f) other bodies.

Ivor Caplin: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Sustainable Development

John Horam: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which United Kingdom commitments arising from the World Summit on Sustainable Development (a) have been incorporated into the Department's existing delivery plan for Service Delivery Agreements and (b) will be incorporated in its delivery plan for Service Delivery Agreements in advance of the 2004 Spending Review.

Adam Ingram: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Territorial Army

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Territorial Army soldiers are (a) in the Gulf and (b) overseas; and how many are preparing for deployment in the Gulf.

Ivor Caplin: As at 13 November 2003, 1,780 members of the Territorial Army (TA) are currently serving in the Gulf, with a further 295 serving elsewhere overseas. 580 members of the TA are currently preparing to deploy to the Gulf, although many of these individuals will not arrive in theatre until after the Christmas period.

Training Establishments

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate has been made by principal personnel officers of the resources needed to bring medical facilities at training establishments up to required minimum standards; and how many and what percentage of establishments fall below those standards.

Ivor Caplin: I will write to my hon. Friend and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Transport Aircraft

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many transport aircraft, and of what type, are used by the armed forces.

Adam Ingram: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Transport Aircraft

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his expenditure plans are for transport aircraft in the next five years.

Adam Ingram: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Voluntary Organisations

Charles Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what funding programmes are operated by his Department to support voluntary organisations working with young people; and what the level of support has been over the last three years.

Ivor Caplin: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Vulcan Sky Trust

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what support has been given to the Vulcan Sky Trust.

Adam Ingram: None.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

Bank Accounts (Post Offices)

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proportion of basic bank accounts available are accessible at post offices; and of those, what proportion offer balance inquiries services at post offices.

Stephen Timms: These are matters that fall within the day-to-day responsibility of Post Office Ltd. and I have therefore asked the Chief Executive to reply direct to the hon. Member.

Alstom Transport UK

Terry Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how often and on what dates during the last year she has met Mr. Paul Barron, Vice President of Alstom Transport UK, to discuss the future of the Alstom factory at Crashwood Heath in Birmingham; and what the outcome of these discussions was.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 18 November 2003
	My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry met Paul Barron on 6 May 2003 to discuss Alstom's general restructuring plans and their impact on the company's operations in the UK, including Washwood Heath. Details of discussions between Ministers and company representatives must, for commercial reasons, remain confidential under Exemption 13—Third Party's Commercial confidences, of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information, but Mr. Barron stressed the need for the company to undertake global restructuring in order to address mounting debts and ensure a viable future. The Secretary of State has had discussions with Mr. Barron on a number of other occasions and these were detailed in her letter to you of 1 September 2003.

Animal Welfare

Jimmy Wray: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether the number of experiments on animals has increased since 1997; what the average number of animals used has been in each year since 1997; and what plans she has to reduce the number of animals used in experimentation.

Caroline Flint: I have been asked to reply.
	I will write to my hon Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Animal Welfare

Jimmy Wray: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many companies in the UK provide animals for use in experimentation; whether they receive Government assistance; and what regulations control to whom they supply.

Caroline Flint: I have been asked to reply.
	The breeding and supply of animals for use in experimental or other scientific procedures in the United Kingdom is regulated under section 7 of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986. There are currently five commercial establishments licensed under the 1986 Act primarily concerned with the breeding and supply of animals for use in experimentation. In addition to these, 140 establishments designated under the 1986 Act also breed animals for use in experiments.
	Breeding and supplying establishments are only licensed if the Secretary of State is satisfied that they provide appropriate standards of care and accommodation as set out in the Code of Practice for the Housing and Care of Animals in Designated Breeding and Supplying Establishments presented to Parliament in 1995 under section 21 of the 1986 Act. A supplement to the code of practice dealing with the housing and care of ferrets and gerbils was published separately in 2001.
	None of the licensed breeding and supplying establishments, nor any other establishments licensed under the provisions of the 1986 Act, receive financial assistance from the Home Office nor, as far as available records show, from any other Government Department.
	The 1986 Act does not regulate the sale of animals. However, unless specifically exempted by the Secretary of State, species listed in Schedule 2 of the Act, including mice, rats, cats, dogs and primates, may only be obtained from designated breeding and supplying establishments for use in programmes of work licensed under the 1986 Act.

Arms Exports

Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what powers she has to enforce the conditions contained in end-user control certificates; and what action she can take in case of breach of those conditions.

Denis MacShane: I have been asked to reply.
	The Government refuses export licences where there is a clear risk that the goods will be used in contravention of the consolidated EU and national arms export licensing criteria.
	The Government has no legal power to enforce conditions contained in end-user certificates. We would, however, take any misuse of equipment into account when assessing future export licence applications for the end-users in question. In addition, the Government has the power to revoke licences for exports to purchasers of concern, which would prevent any outstanding arms exports to that purchaser from leaving the United Kingdom. It could also cancel any open licences for exports to that destination country, obliging exporters to apply for individual licences for each export, or refuse to accept any assurances given by a country about the end-use of an export.
	We may liase with the Government in the country concerned, encouraging them to control or sanction the purchasers in question. If the end-user were a Government, we would have a wide range of foreign policy tools at our disposal.

Bechtel

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list the contracts for consultancy and other work carried out by Bechtel for agencies responsible to her Department in each year since 1997, stating in each case (a) the nature of the work, (b) the value of the contract and (c) the duration of the contract; and if she will make a statement.

Patricia Hewitt: holding answer 12 November 2003
	I have asked each of the Chief Executives of my Department to reply.
	Letter from Claire Clancy to Malcolm Bruce, dated 19 November 2003
	I am responding to your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on behalf of Companies House, which is an Executive Agency of the DTI.
	I can confirm from our records that Companies House has not contracted any work to Bechtel since 1999. Our records for 1997–1998 have been archived, and to check this period would incur a disproportionate cost. Due to the nature of Bechtel's work, however, I am confident they were not contracted by Companies House to carry out any work during this period.
	Letter from Martin Wyn Griffith to Malcolm Bruce, dated 19 November 2003
	I am replying on behalf of the Small Business Service (SBS), to the above question addressed to the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry. It concerns contracts for consultancy and other work carried out by Bechtel, in each year since 1977.
	SBS only commenced operations as an Agency of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) on 1 April 2000. Since that date, SBS has not engaged the services of Bechtel.
	Letter from Desmond Flynn to Malcolm Bruce, dated 19 November 2003
	The Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has asked me to reply to you directly on behalf of The Insolvency Service in of respect to your question (2002/4638) asking for a list of contracts for consultancy and other work carried out by Bechtel for agencies responsible to the Office in each year since 1997, stating in ease case (a) the nature of the work, (b) the value of the contract and (c) the duration of the contract.
	I can confirm that The Insolvency Service has had no dealings with Bechtel during this time.
	Letter from Iain MacGregor to Malcolm Bruce, dated 19 November 2003
	The Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has asked me to reply on behalf of the National Weights and Measures Laboratory (NWML) to your question asking her if she will list the contracts for consultancy and other work carried out by Bechtel for agencies responsible to her Department in each year since 1997, stating in each case (a) the nature of the work, (b) the value of the contract and (c) the duration of the contract; and if she will make a statement.
	Bechtel has not carried out any contracts for consultancy or other work for National Weights and Measures Laboratory.
	Letter from Kevin Woodrow to Malcolm Bruce, dated 19 November 2003
	In the absence of Alison Brimelow, Chief Executive, I am replying to this parliamentary question, tabled on 7 November 2003, about contracts for consultancy and other work carried out by Bechtel for each year since 1997.
	The Patent Office has had no contracts for consultancy or other work with Bechtel during this period.
	Letter from Roger Heathcote to Malcolm Bruce, dated 19 November 2003
	You asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry to list contracts for consultancy and other work carried out by Bechtel for agencies responsible to her Department in each year since 1997. I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Employment Tribunals Service (ETS), which is an Agency of the DTI.
	I can confirm that the ETS has had no contracts with Bechtel over the period in question.
	Letter from David Smith to Malcolm Bruce, dated 19 November 2003
	The Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has asked me to reply on behalf of the Radiocommunications Agency to your Parliamentary Question about contracts with Bechtel.
	The Agency has no record of contracting with Bechtel since 1997.

Broadband

Ian Davidson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps the Government is taking to ensure that broadband is available throughout the Glasgow, Pollok constituency at the earliest possible date.

Stephen Timms: BT has recently informed the Department that ADSL has been enabled to all exchanges throughout the Glasgow, Pollok constituency. They are currently reviewing areas where not everybody will be able to receive an ADSL service, as they may live too far from the exchange and these will be published on their website shortly. BT announced on 17 November 2003 that they have set trigger levels for 2,300 more exchanges, (http://www.bt.com/broadband/). Broadband services are increasingly being made available via a range of alternative technologies across Scotland, for example, cable, one-way and two-way broadband satellite, fixed wireless and local wireless networks. The Scottish Executive is committed to extension of broadband to every area in Scotland. They offer a Broadband Business Incentive grant to encourage broadband take-up and information is available from Scottish Enterprise's website: http://www.scottish-enterprise.com/sedotcom home/services-to-business/broadband.htm

Climate Change

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the contribution of the Carbon Trust to progress on meeting climate change targets.

Elliot Morley: I have been asked to reply.
	The Carbon Trust was launched in 2001 as part of the Climate Change Programme. A formal review of the Climate Change Programme is planned for 2004 that will include an assessment of the contribution of the Carbon Trust towards climate change targets.
	The Carbon Trust has undertaken an impact assessment of their programmes as part of their annual review which is available via their website www. thecarbontrust.co.uk.

Coal Miners' Compensation

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps her Department is taking to ensure that all eligible compensation claims for those suffering from coal-related diseases are submitted before March 2004.

Nigel Griffiths: Following Lord Justice Turner's agreement to a cut-off date of 31 March 2003 for submitting respiratory disease claims under the Claims Handling Agreement, the Department implemented a comprehensive communication plan to ensure that the date was communicated as widely and expeditiously as possible.
	We have written to all widows who receive pensions under the Mineworkers Pension Scheme.
	Under the plan we have carried out two comprehensive newspaper advertising campaigns and will carry out a further two such campaigns before the cut-off date. The Department's advert has also been carried in a number of coal industry publications and the Department's own "Compensation for Miners" newsletter.
	The budget for this is £100,583.
	References to the cut-off date are also carried on both of the Department's websites—www.dti.gov.uk/coalhealth and www.coalclaims.com.

Coal Mining

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the future of the coal mining industry in the UK.

Stephen Timms: The coal mining industry continues to make an important contribution to the economy, supplying around 50 per cent. of the country's total coal needs and some 60 per cent. of its coal-fired electricity generation feedstock. The Government are working to secure a future for viable deep and opencast mines. In June 2003, they launched Coal Investment Aid, which has a budget of up to £60 million for allocation of over the next three years to provide up to 30 per cent. support for eligible mining investment projects. An announcement about awards in response to first period applications for Coal Investment Aid is expected soon.

Electricity

Nigel Beard: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the average balance between supply and demand of electricity was at (a) peak and (b) off-peak times last winter; what she estimates the balance is likely to be in (i) five years time and (ii) 10 years time; and what her forecasts are of (A) demand and (B) the projected investment plans of the industry over those periods.

Stephen Timms: According to figures published in the DTI Digest of UK Energy Statistics, the maximum simultaneous electricity load met during the winter of 2002–03 was 61,717 MW. This represented 87.6 per cent. of the generating capacity owned by major power producers in the UK, although this figure would fall to 85.2 per cent. if the interconnector with France were included. Average load across the whole winter period (October to March) was approximately 49,000 MW.
	Provisional estimates arising from work to update the DTI energy projections in Energy Paper 68 indicate that electricity demand is likely to grow by around 1.25 per cent. per annum over the next decade. On this basis, demand in five years time would be around 6 per cent. above current levels and demand in 10 years around 13 per cent. above current levels.
	Future investment by the industry, and hence the future balance between supply and demand, is a commercial matter for electricity market participants. The UK market provides strong financial incentives for electricity suppliers to contract for sufficient power to meet their customers' needs and for generators to deliver the power they have contracted to provide.

Electricity

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much electricity generating capacity was available in the United Kingdom in each year since 1997, listing the contribution made by (a) coal, (b) gas, (c) nuclear power, (d) oil, (e) imports and (f) others; and what projections she has made of available generating capacity from each of these in the United Kingdom in each year to 2020.

Stephen Timms: Figures for the electricity generating capacity available in the United Kingdom in each year since 1997 are published in Table 5.7, Plant Capacity, of the Digest of United Kingdom Energy Statistics 2002–03. Copies of this publication are available in the Library of the House.
	The latest full published projections of available generating capacity in the United Kingdom up to 2020 are published in Annex G, ESI Capacity, of Energy Projections for the UK, Energy Paper 68. This publication is also available in the Library of the House. Work to update these projections is currently underway for completion around March 2004. The latest projections, representing work in progress, are available on the DTI web site (www.dti.gov.uk/energy/sepn/projections.pdf).

Electricity

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent assessment she has made of the benefits of transmitting energy underground.

Stephen Timms: None. It is recognised that compared with overhead lines, there are potential benefits of underground transmission. However, benefits must always be weighed against cost, which at 400,000 volts in particular, is significantly higher per kilometre than an overhead line.

Electricity

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much spare generating capacity there is in the United Kingdom; and how much spare capacity her Department deems to be a sufficient safety net to safeguard electricity supplies for winter 2003–04.

Stephen Timms: The October 2003 Update to the National Grid Company (NGC) Seven Year Statement projects a plant margin of 19.3 per cent. for England and Wales for the winter 2003–04. By way of comparison, the projected plant margin for the winter of 2002–03 in NGC's October 2002 Update was 17.4 per cent. NGC project that peak demand under average cold spell (ACS) conditions this winter would be 55,900 MW and that the registered capacity of generating stations, including interconnectors with France and Scotland, would be 66,697 MW. The figures do not include additional reserves that NGC has recently contracted for and nor do they allow for any further return of mothballed plant.
	The electricity market provides electricity suppliers and generators with strong financial incentives to deliver the power they have contracted to provide. It is not the Government's role to specify how market participants should meet their contracted obligations.
	The Department of Trade and Industry, together with Ofgem, monitors the security of gas and electricity supplies through the Joint Energy Security of Supply Working Group (JESS). The latest report from JESS was published on the Department's web site (www. dti.gov.uk/energy/jess/jessreport3.pdf) on 12 November and copies will be placed in the library of the House when available.

Employment Rights

Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when she will make an announcement regarding section 23 of the Employment Relations Act 1999 in relation to employment rights for clergy.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The Government hopes to publish a response to the DTI Review of Employment Status in relation to statutory employment rights around the turn of the year.

Employment Rights

Huw Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when she expects to announce the results of her Department's consultation on employment rights for atypical workers, with special reference to clergy.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The Government hope to publish a response to the DTI Review of Employment Status in relation to statutory employment rights around the turn of the year.

Estate Agents

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many claims against estate agents have been taken to the civil courts; how many have been upheld; and how much financial compensation has been awarded in each year since 1997.

Gerry Sutcliffe: This information is not collected by the Department.

EU Committees

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list the dates of meetings of the (a) EU Committee for the implementation of the multiannual community programme to stimulate the establishment of the information society in Europe and (b) EU Advisory Committee on the development and reconversion of regions during the Danish and Greek presidencies; what items were on each agenda; which representative of the Scottish Executive was present on each occasion; what preparatory meetings were held for each meeting; which officials were present at each preparatory meeting; and if she will make a statement.

Patricia Hewitt: The information is as follows:
	(a) There were no meetings of this Committee during the Danish and Greek presidencies. The programme was discussed at the Information Society working group during co-decision negotiations with the European Parliament.
	(b) The Committee for the Development and Conversion of Regions (CDCR) is chaired by DG REGIO the Directorate General for the Regions, and meets 10 times a year. All of its activities are a matter of record and are available on DG REGIO's "circa" website: http://forum.europa.eu.int
	The Committee discusses matters relating to the implementation of structural funds in the EU. Much of its work during the Danish presidency was concentrated on the simplification, clarification, coordination and flexibility of the structural policies. During the Greek presidency, the CDCR discussed a wide range of issues, including the Commission's revised indicative guidelines on the structural funds and their coordination with the Cohesion Fund.
	The CDCR has met four times since the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Buckingham on 13 May 2003, Official Report, columns 169–70W. Its structure and remit are unchanged.
	There was no representative from the Scottish Executive at these meetings. The UK is represented by officials from the Department of Trade and Industry who represent all of the UK.
	With regard to preparatory meetings, under "Exemption 2: internal discussion and advice, of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information", the Government do not release details of such meetings.

EU Committees

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list the dates of meetings of the (a) EU Committee for the adaptation to technical progress of directives on the removal of technical barriers to trade in the sector of protective equipment and systems for use in explosive atmospheres and (b) EU Committee on implementation of the multiannual programme for enterprise and entrepreneurship, in particular for small and medium-sized enterprises during the Danish and Greek presidencies; what items were on each agenda; which representative of the Scottish Executive was present on each occasion; what preparatory meetings were held for each meeting; which officials were present at each preparatory meeting; and if she will make a statement.

Patricia Hewitt: The information is as follows:
	(a) I believe that the hon. Member is referring to the Standing Committee set up in Article 6 of Council Directive 94/9/EC Of 23 March 1994 on the approximation of laws of the member states concerning Equipment and Protective Systems Intended for Use in Potentially Explosive Atmospheres (the "ATEX" Directive).
	The meeting scheduled for 11 December, during the Danish presidency was postponed until 6 and 7 February 2003, during the Greek Presidency. Agenda items for the February meeting were categorised under; questions of scope; questions of conformity assessment; questions of transition (1.7.2003); questions on the ATEX guidelines; reports from CEN standardisation committees; cooperation between EU notified bodies; progress in candidate countries concerning the implementation of the ATEX Directive, and, report from DG Enterprise concerning the ATEX "Workplace" Directive 1999/192/EC.
	The next meeting of the Standing Committee is scheduled for 4 December 2003. The UK is represented by officials from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) who represent all of the UK.
	(b) The Enterprise Programme Management Committee met in Brussels on 17 October 2002 and on 13 March 2003. The main business of the former meeting was to discuss and approve multi-annual programme (MAP) activity for 2003, amendments to approved MAP activity for 2002 and proposals to take forward particular projects. The main purpose of the latter meeting was to consider the report on MAP implementation during 2002, amendments to the approved 2002 and 2003 activities and an evaluation of the 2001–05 MAP.
	UK officials consult widely and ensure that the views of the devolved administrations, including the Scottish Executive are fully reflected at committee meetings.
	With regard to preparatory meetings, under Exemption2: Internal discussion and advice, of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information, the Government does not release details of such meetings.

EU Committees

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list the dates of meetings of the (a) EU Committee for the implementation of the multiannual community action plan on promoting the safe use of the internet and (b) EU committee for management of generalised preferences during the Danish and Greek presidencies; what items were on each agenda; which representative of the Scottish Executive was present on each occasion; what preparatory meetings were held for each meeting; which officials were present at each preparatory meeting; and if she will make a statement.

Patricia Hewitt: The information is as follows:
	(a) The Common Commercial Policy is not devolved to the Scottish Executive. The GSP is part of the EU's Common Commercial Policy on which the Community have competence.
	The Committee met on 7 November 2002 and agenda items included the Implementation of Article 12 of Regulation No. 2501/2001, with respect to graduation, the request of Ukraine for the special incentive arrangements for the protection of labour rights, Information on other requests for the special incentive arrangements and information on judgment concerning case T?113/00 (DuPont Teijin Films Luxembourg SA; Mitsubishi Polyester Film GmbH; Toray Plastics Europe SA v. Commission).
	On 29 November 2002 and 13 December 2002, the Committee discussed the implementation of Article 12 of Regulation No. 2501/2001, with respect to graduation.
	On 25 March 2003, items discussed included a request according to Articles 26 to 28 of the Regulation No. 2501/2001 concerning Belarus, request of Sri Lanka for the special incentive arrangements for the protection of labour rights (for exchange of views), information on other requests for the special incentive arrangements and information on India's complaint in WTO.
	The GSP Working Party met on 6 November 2002 and on 5 March 2003 to discuss the SPG Regulation, on 27 February 2003 to discuss the application of a generalised tariff preference schemes from 1 January 2002 to 31 December 2004.
	(b) The IAPPC (Safer Internet Action Plan Committee) met on 28 October 2002 and 16 May 2003. The October 2002 agenda included: progress on the implementation of projects selected in 2002, report on activities of hotlines co-funded by the Action Plan, procedure for selecting contractor for final evaluation of programme, update on recent events (Racism Workshop, Police and hotlines workshop, extension of IAPCODE contract, discussions with candidate countries), proposal for a two-year extension of the programme, discussion paper on eSafe Work Programme 2003–04 and recent developments from member states. The May 2003 agenda included: the adoption of the Council Decision for the extension of the Work Programme to year 2003–04, a final evaluation of the programme, the criteria and content of the call for proposals, rules of procedure and national events, progress and particular issues related to illegal and/or harmful content on the internet. The Commission also organised a consultation day for committee members and the public on 12 September 2003 on the forthcoming programme (2005–08).
	UK officials consult widely and ensure that the views of the Devolved Administrations, including the Scottish Executive, are fully reflected at Committee meetings.
	With regard to preparatory meetings, under "Exemption 2: internal discussion and advice, of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information", the Government do not release details of such meetings.

EU Committees

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list the dates of meetings of the (a) EU Committee for the harmonisation of national legislation relating to recreational craft, (b) EU Standing Committee on the approximation of the laws of the member states relating to machinery and (c) EU Committee for the adaptation to technical progress of directives on the removal of technical barriers to trade in the sector of cosmetics during the Danish and Greek Presidencies; what items were on each agenda; which representative of the Scottish Executive was present on each occasion; what preparatory meetings were held for each meeting; which officials were present at each preparatory meeting; and if she will make a statement.

Patricia Hewitt: The information is as follows:
	(a) I believe that the hon. Member is referring to the Standing Committee set up under Article 6 of Directive 94/25/EC on the approximation of the laws, regulations and administrative provisions of member states relating to recreational craft. The last meeting was held on 27 January 2003 in Brussels. The items on the Agenda included a discussion concerning the updated rules of procedure of the Standing Committee; an update on the guide to the application of the Directive; a review of the Recreational Craft Sectoral Group's recommendation for use sheets; an exchange of views on administrative co-operation between member states and a discussion. There was no representative of the Scottish Executive at this meeting; the UK is represented by two officials from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) who represent all of the UK.
	(b) The Standing Committee set up under Article 6.2 of Directive 98/37/EC on the approximation of the laws of the member states relating to machinery has met twice during the period of the Danish and Greek Presidencies.
	On 28 March, the agenda items discussed were: co-ordination of notified bodies; progress on standardisation; electric hoists on lift car tops; safety belts on industrial trucks; standards on portable hand-held machines; tipping equipment for fitting to road lorries; and mobile transport platforms.
	On October 23 and 24, the agenda items discussed were: mobile transport platforms; press brakes; annex ZA of harmonised standards, co-ordination of notified bodies; duration of type examination certificates; recommendations for use; progress on standardization; machines that use gas as fuel; Pr EN 13683 (garden equipment); Karting; prototypes; translation issues; EN 14122–4 (fixed ladders); climbing frames; automatic dough dividers; steam boilers; agricultural spray equipment; and, visibility from vehicles.
	There was no representative from the Scottish Executive at these meetings. The UK is represented by officials from the Department of Trade and Industry who represent all of the UK. They are supported by a technical expert from the Health and Safety Executive
	(c) The Committee for the Adaptation to Technical Progress (CATP) of Directive 76/768 on Cosmetic Products met twice during the Danish Presidency (on 22 July and 30 September 2002) and twice during the Greek Presidency (on 4 February and 29 April 2003). Under the Danish Presidency, discussions took place on the draft 27th and 28th Amendments to the Cosmetic Directive and these amendments were also adopted in this period. During the Greek Presidency, the 29th and 30th Amendments to the Cosmetics Directive were considered and adopted. The amendments all involved technical amendments (relating to substances allowed/restricted for use in cosmetics) to the annexes that form part of the Cosmetics Directive.
	There was no representative from the Scottish Executive at these meetings. The UK is represented by officials from the Department of Trade and Industry who represent all of the UK. When technical amendments to the Cosmetics Directive are proposed, which usually relate to toxicological issues, the views of Department of Health and chemical advisers are sought.
	With regard to preparatory meetings, under "Exemption 2: internal discussion and advice, of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information", the Government do not release details of such meetings.

EU Committees

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list the dates of meetings of the (a) EU Advisory Committee on restrictive practices and dominant positions, (b) EU Advisory Committee on concentrations between undertakings and (c) EU Committee for implementation of the action programme to tackle discrimination during the Danish and Greek presidencies; what items were on each agenda; which representative of the Scottish Executive was present on each occasion; what preparatory meetings were held for each meeting; which officials were present at each preparatory meeting; and if she will make a statement.

Patricia Hewitt: Competition is a reserved matter under the Scotland Act.
	(a) The Advisory Committee on Restrictive Practices and Dominant Positions is the body through which the European Commission carries out its duty to consult member states on decisions and amendments to EC competition law that it proposes to adopt. Office of Fair Trading officials represent the UK at these meetings, but may be accompanied by officials from Government Departments and other regulators where they have a particular interest.
	The Committee met in October, November and December 2002 and in March and May 2003, and discussed a number of anti-trust cases including those involving video games, auction houses, reinforcing steel bars, speciality graphites, beef and veal, food flavour enhancers, network sharing agreements for mobile phones and high-speed internet services.
	(b) The Advisory Committee on concentrations between undertakings meets to discuss all cases subject to detailed examination under the EC Merger Regulation and the Office of Fair Trading represents the United Kingdom with Ministers playing no role.
	The Committee also meets to discuss draft Commission guidance associated with EC Merger Regulation and broader policy issues raised by the European merger regime. The Committee met three times in July 2002; twice in October 2002; once in November 2002, December 2002 and March 2003; twice in April 2003; and once in June 2003.
	(c) In the relevant period there has been one meeting of the Committee for the Community Action programme to combat discrimination, on 6 December 2002. Among the items discussed were the draft Work Programme 2003, the Presentation of 2003 disability specific initiatives (European Year of People with Disabilities), Part financing the Platform of European Social NGOs- Awareness raising measures, the Results of Eurobarometer survey on the perceptions of discrimination, and the Evaluation of the European Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia.
	When appropriate UK officials consult widely and ensure that the views of the devolved Administrations, including the Scottish Executive are fully reflected at Committee meetings.
	With regard to preparatory meetings, under Exemption2: Internal discussion and advice, of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information, the Government do not release details of such meetings.

EU Committees

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list the dates of meetings of the (a) EU Accounting Directives Contact Committee, (b) EU Advisory Committee on opening up public contracts and (c) EU Committee on the directives on names and labelling of textile products during the Danish and Greek presidencies; what items were on each agenda; which representative of the Scottish Executive was present on each occasion; what preparatory meetings were held for each meeting; which officials were present at each preparatory meeting; and if she will make a statement.

Patricia Hewitt: The information is as follows:
	(a) The last three meetings of the EU Accounting Directives Contact Committee took place on 12–13 December 2001, 14 October 2002 and 27 March 2003. The Contact Committee discussed the Accounting Directives, including the Modernisation of the Accounting Directives, the Fair Value Directive and the interaction of national law and the European Regulation on International Accounting Standards.
	(b) During the Danish presidency there was a meeting of the Advisory Committee on Public Procurement in Brussels on 9 December 2002.
	The (substantive) items on the agenda were: the adoption of new rules of procedure, recent case law, public private partnerships, local public services, statistics and the related subject of indicators, forthcoming negotiations on coverage under the WTO GPA review and the establishment of a Working Group on e-procurement.
	During the Greek presidency there were two meetings of the Advisory Committee on Public Procurement in Brussels on 11 March and 18 June 2003.
	On 11 March the (substantive) agenda items were: public private partnerships, exchange of views on the review of the remedies directives, recent case law, presentation of and discussion of SOLVIT and the Public Procurement Network (PPN), qualification of construction firms, statistics and indicators, WTO procurement developments, the Community Procurement Vocabulary (CPV) and standard forms.
	On 18 June the (substantive) agenda items were: information on the Internal Market Strategy, discussion on the replies to a questionnaire on the review of the remedies directives, progress on the legislative package, information on the PPN, presentation and discussion of an ongoing Commission study on SME access to public procurement contracts, public procurement in the field of defence, WTO procurement developments, proposal for a CPV amending regulation, standard forms and statistics.
	(c) No meeting of the EU Committee on Directives relating to Textile Names and labelling took place during the Danish and Greek presidencies.
	There was no representative from the Scottish Executive at these meetings. The UK is represented by officials from the Department of Trade and Industry who represent all of the UK.
	With regard to preparatory meetings, under "Exemption 2: Internal discussion and advice, of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information", the Government do not release details of such meetings.

EU Committees

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether the (a) EU Committee for the harmonisation of credit insurance provisions for transactions with medium and long-term cover, (b) EU Advisory Committee on standardisation in the field of information technology, (c) EU Committee on general authorisations and individual licences in the field of telecommunications services and (d) the EU Advisory Committee on restrictive practices and dominant positions in the transport industry met during the Danish and Greek presidencies; and if she will make a statement.

Patricia Hewitt: The information is as follows:
	(a) There were no meetings of the EU Committee for the harmonisation of credit insurance provisions for transactions with medium and long terms cover in 2002–03, during the period corresponding to the Danish and Greek presidencies of the council.
	This Committee would only be involved in the case of an unresolved disagreement as to the status of a debtor.
	There were no such disagreements in 2002–03 so the committee was not convened.
	(b) I believe that the hon. Member is referring to the Senior Officials Group on Information Technology Standardisation, which has not met since 1999.
	(c) The EU Committee on general authorisations and individual licences in the field of telecommunications services (Licensing Committee) did not meet during the period in question. Its work was taken over in October 2002 by the Communications Committee (COCOM), which met seven times during the period in question. Agenda items included progress towards implementation of the new regulatory package; measures to encourage new market entrants, to promote the deployment of broadband and to discourage unsolicited commercial e-mail; adoption of common technical standards; the appointment of a registry to run the new "EU" top level domain internet address.
	(d) The Advisory Committee on restrictive practices and dominant positions in the transport industry is the body through which the European Commission carries out its duty to consult member states on decisions and amendments to EC competition law in the field of transport which it proposes to adopt. The Committee met once in Brussels in the period in question: in September 2002, it discussed a revision to the Trans-Atlantic Conference Agreement on liner shipping conferences.
	When appropriate UK officials consult widely and ensure that the views of the devolved administrations, including the Scottish Parliament are fully reflected at Committee meetings.
	With regard to preparatory meetings, under "Exemption 2: Internal discussion and advice, of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information", the Government does not release details of such meetings.

EU Committees

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether the (a) EU Committee for the adaptation to technical progress of directives on the removal of technical barriers to trade in the sector of electric materials used in an explosive atmosphere, (b) EU Committee on the directives on names and labelling of textile products, (c) EU Committee for the adaptation to technical progress of directives on the removal of technical barriers to trade in the sector of measuring instruments and methods of metrological control, (d) EU Advisory Committee on telecommunications procurement and (e) EU Committee on the implementation of open network provision met during the Danish and Greek presidencies; and if she will make a statement.

Patricia Hewitt: The information is as follows:
	(a) I believe that the hon. Member is referring to Committees set up under "Old Approach" Directives 79/196/EEC, and 82/130/EEC.Adaptation to technical progress could only be made to these directives by amending directives incorporating updated harmonised standards. Directives 94/26/EC and 97/53/EC amended Directive 79/196/EEC and Directive 98/9/EC amended Directive 82/130 EEC.
	All these Directives were repealed on 30 June 2003 and superseded by "New Approach" Directive, 94/9/EC on the approximation of laws of the member states concerning Equipment and Protective Systems Intended for Use in Potentially Explosive Atmospheres, (ATEX). This Directive is concerned with a wider range of ignition risks arising from electrical and mechanical equipment and dusts. It is my belief that there have been no meetings in respect of adapting to technical progress directives , since 1998.
	(b) No meeting of the EU Committee on Directives relating to Textile Names and labelling took place during the Danish and Greek presidencies.
	(c) No such EU Committee is currently active (which was also the position during both the Danish and Greek presidencies).
	(d) This Committee did not meet under the Danish or Greek presidencies.
	(e) The EU Committee on the implementation of open network provision (ONP) met once during the period in question, on 10 July 2002. Its work was taken over in October 2002 by the Communications Committee (COCOM), which met seven times during the period in question. Agenda items included progress towards implementation of the new regulatory package; measures to encourage new market entrants, to promote the deployment of broadband and to discourage unsolicited commercial e-mail; adoption of common technical standards; the appointment of a registry to run the new ".eu" top level domain internet address.
	UK officials consult widely and ensure that the views of the devolved Administrations, including the Scottish Executive are fully reflected at Committee meetings.
	With regard to preparatory meetings, under "Exemption 2: Internal discussion and advice, of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information", the Government do not release details of such meetings

EU Committees

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list the dates of meetings of (a) the EU Committee on the specific programme for research, technological development and demonstration on promotion of innovation and participation of SMEs and (b) the EU Coordination Group to promote uniformity of application of the general system for the recognition of higher education diplomas (first general system) during the Danish and Greek presidencies; what items were on each agenda; which representative of the Scottish Executive was present on each occasion; what preparatory meetings were held for each meeting; which officials were present at each preparatory meeting; and if she will make a statement.

Patricia Hewitt: The information is as follows:
	(a) With the advent of the Sixth Framework Programme (FP6), which was launched in December 2002, the committee system was restructured to reflect the format of the new programme. Innovation issues are now considered by the Research and Innovation committee and SME issues are covered by the horizontal committees on structuring the European Research Area and integrating and strengthening the European Research Area.
	The FP5 Innovation & SMEs committee met on two occasions during the Danish Presidency, on 10 July and 17 October 2002.
	During these meetings, the opinion of the committee was sought on the first batch of innovation projects accepted for funding and on the second batch of proposals for supporting the setting up and development of innovative firms. There was also discussion on a range of other issues including:
	tender for the CORDIS database contract and the future of the service;
	the results of an analysis of Technology Transfer and Validation projects under Framework Programmes four;
	the Innovation Trend chart;
	2001 Innovation and SME Monitoring report; and
	the contracts for two Innovation Relay Centres.
	The FP6 Research and Innovation Committee met on three occasions during the Danish Presidency: on 29 October, 19 November and 4 December 2002.
	During these meetings, there was discussion on:
	introduction to the Work Programmes of the Specific Programme 'Structuring the European Research Area';
	common criteria for evaluating proposals and common rules of procedure for the sub-programme committees; and
	the draft Work Programme for the Research and Innovation sub-programme.
	There were no meetings of this committee under the Greek Presidency. Each member state is permitted to send no more than one delegate to the committee. However, UK officials consult widely to ensure that the views of the Devolved Administrations, including the Scottish Executive, are fully reflected at committee meetings.
	The horizontal committees on structuring the European Research Area and integrating and strengthening the European Research Area met on three occasions during the Greek Presidency: on 4 March, 21 May and 9 July 2003. These covered the following SME issues:
	information on the first call for collective research proposals;
	information on SME participation in first calls of thematic priorities;
	information on the results of the first deadline for co-operative research; and
	information and discussion on the planning of co-operative research calls in 2004.
	The European Commission's meetings of the SME and Innovation Programme Committee were attended by DTI officials. The agendas and minutes of these meetings are circulated to the Devolved Administrations, including the Scottish Executive, and any views expressed by them are reflected at committee meetings.
	With regard to preparatory meetings, under Exemption2: internal discussion and advice, of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information, the Government do not release details of such meetings.
	(b) This Committee falls within the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Skills.

EU Committees

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list the dates of meetings of (a) the EU Telematics between Administrations Committee (TAC), (b) the EU Advisory Committee on State Aid for the application of Articles 92 and 93 of the EC Treaty to certain categories of horizontal State Aid (exemption) and (c) the EU Advisory Committee on State Aid on the arrangements for applying Article 93 of the EC Treaty (procedure) during the Danish and Greek presidencies; what items were on each agenda; what representative of the Scottish Executive was present on each occasion; what preparatory meetings were held for each meeting; which officials were present at each preparatory meeting; and if she will make a statement.

Patricia Hewitt: The information is as follows:
	(a) There were three TAC meetings under the Danish presidency. Agenda items included included discussion on the IDA 2002 Work Programme; the future of IDA and eEurope; and IDA II mid-term evaluation, and the IDA Work Programmes for 2002 and 2003.
	There were five TAC meetings under the Greek presidency. Agenda items included the strategy for implementing the portal of the EU administration, the IDA Work Programme and eEurope, the 2003 IDA Work Programme, a Communication on Interoperability and Global Implementation Plans and Preparatory Reports for a number of projects.
	(b) The EU Advisory Committee on State Aid for the application of Article 92 and 93 of the EC Treaty to certain categories of horizontal State Aid (exemption) met once during the Danish and Greek presidencies. The meeting was held on 24 July 2002 and the sole item on the agenda was discussion of Commission proposals for a Block Exemption for State aid for employment.
	The EU Advisory Committee on State Aid on the arrangements for applying Article 93 of the EC Treaty (procedure) met twice during the Danish and Greek presidencies. The meetings were held on 17 December 2002 when the sole item on the agenda was discussion of informal Commission proposals on reform of State aid procedures and on 18 December 2002 when the sole item on the agenda was discussion of Commission proposals on Services of General Economic Interest.
	The Department consults widely on the topics for discussion at these meetings and the views of the devolved Administrations, including the Scottish Executive are fully reflected at Committee meetings.
	With regard to preparatory meetings, under "Exemption 2: Internal advice and discussion, of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information", the Government do not release details of such meetings.

Export Controls

Paul Farrelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will discuss with (a) the Foreign Secretary, (b) the Secretary of State for International Development, (c) the Secretary of State for Defence and (d) the European Commission the allegations made by the hon. Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme in the (i) debate on Export Controls on 6 November and (ii) debate on the Export Control Bill on 8 November 2001 in relation to arms supplies to Zimbabwe and the Democratic Republic of Congo; and if she will take steps to investigate the allegations.

Nigel Griffiths: Investigations into alleged breaches of arms embargoes and Sanctions regimes is a matter for HM Customs and Excise.

Export Controls

Paul Farrelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 
	(1)  pursuant to the answer of 28 April 2003, Official Report, columns 104–05W, on the Export Control Act 2002, what (a) controls and (b) sanctions would apply under (A) orders made under the Export Control Act 2002 coming into force on 1 May 2004 and (B) European Union measures to an individual with United Kingdom residence rights and business interests but joint Zimbabwean and Dutch nationality who supplied arms or military supplies to Zimbabwe through (i) United Kingdom incorporated companies and (ii) Zimbabwe incorporated companies, which are associated with or controlled by her;
	(2)  in what circumstances an individual dealing in arms who has United Kingdom residence rights but who does not hold a United Kingdom passport would be subject to the controls and sanctions of the orders due to come into force on 1 May 2004 under the Export Control Act 2002;
	(3)  in what circumstances United Kingdom companies (a) controlled by and (b) associated with an individual with United Kingdom residence rights but joint Zimbabwean and Dutch nationality which are dealing in arms to Zimbabwe would be subject to restrictions and sanctions contained in the orders coming into force on 1st May 2004 under the Export Control Act 2002;
	(4)  in what circumstances an individual dealing in arms to Zimbabwe who has United Kingdom residence rights but holds joint Zimbabwean and Dutch nationality would be subject to the controls contained in the orders which will come into force on 1 May 2004 under the Export Control Act 2002;
	(5)  whether the Export Control Act 2002 and the orders due to come into force on 1 May 2004 will apply to the activities of UK-based arms dealers who have UK residence rights but are not UK passport holders and who supply arms to Zimbabwe through companies incorporated and based overseas.

Nigel Griffiths: The Trade in Goods (Control) Order prohibits trade in specified military equipment between countries outside the UK unless the Secretary of State grants a licence. In the case of long-range missiles, specially designed components and equipment used in torture, the controls will apply to any trading activities done in the UK and also to the activities of UK persons anywhere in the world. For trade in any other equipment on the UK Military List to non-embargoed destinations, the controls will apply where any part of the trading activity takes place in the UK. The maximum penalty under this Order, for trading without a licence, is a fine for any amount or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 10 years, or both.
	A "UK person" is defined as a UK national, a Scottish Partnership, or a body incorporated under the law of any part of the UK. Controls on trade from a country outside the UK to an embargoed destination will be introduced by a separate Order to be made under Section 4 of the Export Control Act 2002. Trade activities carried out in the UK or by a UK person anywhere in the world are prohibited without a licence. The relevant embargoed destinations will be those subject to non-binding United Nations Sanctions, and European Union, Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), and UK national, embargoes. The maximum penalty under these Orders, for promoting the supply or delivery of any relevant goods to the embargoed destination without a licence, will be a fine for any amount or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 10 years, or both.
	Zimbabwe is subject to both EU and national embargoes. On 18 February 2002 the Council of the European Union agreed a range of targeted sanctions against Zimbabwe (Council Common Position 2002/145/CFSP), including an embargo on the sale or supply of arms by nationals of member states and from the territory of member states, a ban on the supply of training or assistance related to the provision, manufacture, maintenance or use of arms, and a ban on the sale or supply of certain equipment which might be used for internal repression. The European Council subsequently adopted Council Regulation (EC) 310/2002 implementing certain measures of the Common Position, including the ban on the sale or supply of equipment for internal repression and technical assistance related to arms.
	The Zimbabwe (Sale, Supply, Export and Shipment of Equipment) (Penalties and Licences) Regulation 2002 (SI 2002/868) gives effect to EU Regulation 310/2002. The maximum penalty under the UK Regulation, for promoting the sale, supply or shipment of equipment which might be used for internal repression or the provision of relevant technical assistance to Zimbabwe without a licence, is a fine, imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years, or both. Presently, under the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1994, the maximum penalty for the export of controlled goods from the UK to Zimbabwe without a valid export licence is a fine or imprisonment for a term not exceeding seven years, or both. This is to be increased to 10 years imprisonment from 1 May 2004 under the Trade in Good (Control) Order.
	A licence would be required under the new trade controls by a UK person anywhere in the world or any person acting in the UK who negotiated or arranged a contract with an overseas partner which he or she knew or had reason to believe would result in the movement of controlled goods from an overseas country to an embargoed destination. This would include trade to a third country where he or she knew or had reason to suppose that the goods were ultimately destined for an embargoed destination. The controls would apply to trading activity done from the UK regardless of whether it was undertaken through UK or foreign registered companies.

Fair Trade

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action her Department is taking to promote fair trade accreditation at UK universities.

Nigel Griffiths: I refer to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Skills on 18 November 2003, Official Report, columns 544–45W.

Fireworks

John Lyons: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action she is taking to prevent misuse of fireworks.

Hazel Blears: I have been asked to reply.
	I apologise for the delay in replying.
	The Police and Criminal Justice Act 2001 introduced fixed penalty notices for disorder—letting-off of fireworks in a public place is one of the offences covered by the scheme. In addition the Department for Trade and Industry introduced a voluntary agreement with the firework industry from January 2003 preventing the supply of airbombs. The Government also supported the Private Member's Bill introduced by my hon. Friend the Member for Hamilton, South (Mr. Tynan), which received royal assent on the 18 September and which will allow more effective controls on fireworks.

Insolvency

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many (a) company insolvencies and (b) individual insolvencies there were in each quarter since 1997.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The figures requested are supplied in the following table.
	Figures on individual and company insolvencies are available from the DTI's quarterly insolvency press release. This can also be found on the website at www.dti.gov.uk/sd/insolv
	
		
			 Year/quarter Company insolvencies(15) Individual insolvencies(15) 
		
		
			 1997   
			 Q1 3,017 6,021 
			 Q2 3,183 6,421 
			 Q3 3,196 6,093 
			 Q4 3,214 5,906 
			 1998   
			 Q1 3,123 5,746 
			 Q2 3,291 5,776 
			 Q3 3,373 6,306 
			 Q4 3,416 6,721 
			
			 1999   
			 Q1 3,741 6,785 
			 Q2 3,653 7,042 
			 Q3 3,428 7,503 
			 Q4 3,458 7,476 
			
			 2000   
			 Q1 3,522 7,612 
			 Q2 3,431 7,440 
			 Q3 3,775 7,200 
			 Q4 3,589 7,276 
			
			 2001   
			 Q1 3,825 7,473 
			 Q2 3,765 7,591 
			 Q3 3,692 7,324 
			 Q4 3,690 7,387 
			
			 2002   
			 Q1 4,014 7,244 
			 Q2 4,130 7,596 
			 Q3 3,882 7,779 
			 Q4 4,280 7,967 
			
			 2003   
			 Q1 3,672 8,146 
			 Q2(16) 3,825 8,738 
			 Q3(17) 3,398 9,094 
		
	
	(15) Seasonally adjusted
	(16) Revised
	(17) Provisional

Insolvency

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much revenue has been generated from fees charged by the Insolvency Service in respect of (a) company winding-up petitions, (b) creditors' petitions and (c) debtor's petitions in each year since 1997.

Gerry Sutcliffe: Due to the nature of the current Insolvency Fees structure it is not possible to disaggregate the amount of fees recovered between (a) company winding-up petitions, (b) creditors' petitions and (c) debtor's petitions.
	Total fees recovered for each year since 1997 for Insolvency fee earning activities were:
	
		
			  Amount (£000) 
		
		
			 1997–98 35,155 
			 1998–99 37,892 
			 1999–2000 38,197 
			 2000–01 41,777 
			 2001–02 44,859 
			 2002–03 52,589

Manufacturing Advisory Service

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 
	(1)  how many inquiries about the Manufacturing Advisory Service have been made by firms in (a) York unitary authority and (b) Yorkshire;
	(2)  how many firms in (a) York unitary authority and (b) Yorkshire have taken up services offered by the Manufacturing Advisory Service;
	(3)  how many training events have been held by the Manufacturing Advisory Service in Yorkshire.

Jacqui Smith: The Manufacturing Advisory Service (Yorkshire and Humber) has, since its launch in May 2002 to 17 November 2003, dealt with (a) 110 inquiries from firms in the York unitary authority area; and, (b) 2,563 inquiries from firms in Yorkshire and The Humber.
	In total, services offered by Manufacturing Advisory Service (Yorkshire and Humber) have been taken up by (a) 23 firms from the York unitary authority area; and (b) 547 firms in Yorkshire and The Humber.
	The Manufacturing Advisory Service (Yorkshire and Humber) has held 16 training events.
	Overall, the Manufacturing Advisory Service (Yorkshire and Humber) has so far delivered a total added value of 4.5 £million to firms in the region.

Market Research

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much her Department spent on (a) opinion polling and (b) market research in the last financial year; and if she will make a statement.

Patricia Hewitt: The department does not centrally collect the information sought at the required level of detail and to provide it would entail disproportionate cost.
	Statistical surveys to businesses and local authorities conducted by the Department and its agencies are monitored centrally to facilitate control of compliance costs to business and departmental expenditure on survey activity. It is not possible, however, to determine with any degree of accuracy which surveys fall into the categories of market and opinion research, or which contain an element of these. The answer would incur disproportionate cost because of the need to ask all Directorates in DTI to attempt to provide details of each survey and piece of research commissioned.

Mobile Phone Masts

Virginia Bottomley: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate she has made of the number of third generation mobile telephone masts that will be required in Surrey.

Stephen Timms: It is not possible to give a reliable estimate of the number of new masts that will be needed to fulfil the obligations of the 3G licensees, whether in total or by area. The number of masts required in an area will be affected by the level of consumer demand for 3G services, by commercial decisions related to the design of the networks, by the physical topography and by the requirements of planning authorities.

Mobile Phones

Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will issue guidance to mobile phone companies urging them to cancel mobile phone SIM cards when customers cancel contracts.

Stephen Timms: This is a matter for the mobile phone operating companies and should involve no liability for customers.

Mobile Phones

Michael Fallon: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations she has received regarding (a) fraud and (b) market abuse in the pre-paid mobile telephone card market; and what action she is taking.

Stephen Timms: No representations have been received regarding either fraud or market abuse in the pre-paid mobile phone card market.
	There are no plans to take any action with regard to the pre-paid mobile telephone card market.

NTL Complaints

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many complaints Oftel received about NTL in the last 12 months; what action Oftel has taken in response to complaints; and when she next plans to meet the Chief Executive of NTL.

Stephen Timms: Between 1 November 2002 and 17 November 2003 Oftel received 5,202 complaints about NTL. In line with Oftel's policy of allowing telecommunications companies the opportunity to resolve complaints in the first instance, about 80 per cent. of the complaints were devolved to NTL to resolve. The remainder were handled by Oftel. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has no immediate plans to meet the Chief Executive of NTL.

Oil and Gas Industry

Teddy Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the impact on the control of the UK's oil and gas industries of the draft European Constitution; and if she will make a statement.

Stephen Timms: My Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of the draft Constitution on the Department's powers to regulate recovery of hydrocarbons from the UK Continental Shelf. This assessment notes that Article III-157 of the draft EU Constitutional Treaty would give the EU competence in energy matters, including natural resources, with voting by qualified majority. Also that Article III-130(2)(c) provides for unanimity on "measures significantly affecting a Member State's choice between different energy sources and the general structure of its energy supply". Under the Treaty establishing the European Community, there is already Union activity in energy matters and we believe there is a strong case for making the legal base for policy in this area more transparent. However, the UK Government would not agree to any proposal that was inconsistent with UK energy interests.

Post Office Closures

Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many urban post offices in Scotland have been (a) proposed and (b) approved for closure since the inception of the Network Reinvention Scheme.

Stephen Timms: holding answer 17 November 2003
	I understand that since March 2000 the company has recorded details of post office closures, including those under the urban reinvention programme, which commenced in late 2002, on the basis of Government Region and country. It does not record details of proposals on this basis. In Scotland, there have been 28 closures under the urban reinvention programme to the end of September 2003, the latest quarter for which figures are currently available.

Post Offices (Benefit Payments)

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the volume of transactions across post office counters was (a) in total, (b) for child benefit payments, (c) for pensions payments, (d) for Veterans Agency pensions and (e) for Jobcentre Plus in the last year for which figures are available.

Stephen Timms: These are matters that fall within the day-to-day responsibility of Post Office Ltd. I have therefore asked the Chief Executive to reply direct to the hon. Member.

Printer Cartridges

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will place in the Library copies of correspondence between her Department and the European Commission concerning the status of printer cartridges within the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive.

Stephen Timms: There has been no written correspondence on this subject between the Government and the Commission.

Radio Frequency Identifier Devices

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions she has had with retailers about the use of radio frequency identifier devices.

Stephen Timms: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has not met with retailers specifically to discuss the use of radio frequency identification (RFID) devices.
	DTI supports wider and innovative use of RFID as a business technology that can bring significant productivity improvements, reduce the opportunity for crime and enhance customer service. Demonstrator projects have been funded under the Basic Technologies and Next Wave programmes investigating RFID applications in retail, supply chain, construction and transport sectors.
	DTI also seeks to identify and spread best practice, and better inform consideration of, RFID technologies by working with the Auto-Identification Manufacturers trade association (AIM UK) and sector specific fora such as the British Retail Consortium, the Buildings Research Establishment and the Institute of Logistics and Transport.

Red Tape

Tony Colman: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what measures she is taking to reduce the administrative burden on small businesses.

Nigel Griffiths: I can confirm today that the small company audit exemption threshold will be raised to the EU maximum of £5.6 million. This will mean 69,000 companies will be added to the 822,000 already able to make their own decision about whether to have their accounts audited. This is expected to save companies at least £94 million a year.
	The recent OECD review of EU countries shows the UK has almost the lowest administration cost and few regulations for entrepreneurs than any other EU country.
	We are seeking further improvements through Regulatory Impact Assessments, 'Think Small First' and 'Small business Europe', which promotes better regulation.

Royal Mail Group

Michael Connarty: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list foreign acquisitions by the Royal Mail Group since May 1997; what the cost of the acquisition was in each case; what their contribution to the Royal Mail Group's profit and loss account was in the most recent period for which figures are available; which acquisitions have since been divested from Royal Mail; and what the net contribution to the Royal Mail Group was in such cases.

Stephen Timms: Royal Mail's overseas investments are the responsibility of the Royal Mail Board. I have therefore asked the Deputy Chairman to reply direct to my hon. Friend.

Small Business Council

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the (a) cost and (b) remit of the Small Business Council was in 2002–03; what use has been made of the council by businesses in Middlesbrough, South and East Cleveland; and if she will make a statement.

Nigel Griffiths: The cost of the Service in 2002–03 in millions was £349 million, which includes programme budgets.
	Information about the use of the service in the Middlesbrough, South and Cleveland, East constituency is not collected separately. In the Middlesbrough area the Tees Valley Business Link has helped 465 businesses to start up and has provided advice and guidance to 1,151 businesses during 2002–03. Further information is available from Tees Valley Business Link.
	The remit of the Small Business Service is to help build an enterprise society in which small firms of all kinds thrive and achieve their potential, with an increase in the number of people considering going into business, an improvement in the overall productivity of small firms, and more enterprise in disadvantaged communities.
	The SBS Annual Report (HC 807) placed in the Libraries of the House on 14 July 2003 gives an overview of national progress, costs and impact.

Small Loans Guarantee Fund

Archy Kirkwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many (a) applications have been received and (b) awards have been granted by the Small Loans Guarantee Fund in the last six years for which figures are available within (i) the Scottish Borders, (ii) Scotland and (iii) the UK.

Nigel Griffiths: Since 1997, 29,205 UK businesses have received loan guarantees through this scheme.
	The total number of loans guaranteed for the Scottish Borders, Scotland and the UK over the last six years are shown in the following table.
	
		
			  Borders Scotland UK 
		
		
			 2003–04 
			 (April to September) 4 401 2,866 
			 Guaranteed
			 
			 2002–03
			 Guaranteed 10 558 3,916 
			 
			 2001–02
			 Guaranteed 16 698 4,269 
			 
			 2000–01
			 Guaranteed 19 621 4,312 
			 
			 1999–2000
			 Guaranteed 23 526 4,279 
			 
			 1998–99
			 Guaranteed 16 408 4,482 
			 
			 1997–98
			 Guaranteed 16 440 5,081 
			 
			 Total 104 3,652 29,205 
		
	
	There is no figure for the number of loan applications made to banks and other lenders.

Training

Peter Pike: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent discussions she has had with (a) the Department for Education and Skills, (b) the Learning Skills Council, (c) voluntary sector training providers and (d) other interested parties regarding training and re-training in manufacturing and industry; and if she will make a statement.

Jacqui Smith: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, works closely with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, meeting regularly to discuss areas of joint interest. They jointly lead and chair the Skills Alliance, which brings Government together with key Social and Economic partners, and delivery agencies, including the LSC and SSDA, to drive the implementation of the Government's Skills Strategy.
	The Skills Strategy, published in July 2003, aims to ensure that employers have the right skills to support the success of their businesses and organisations, and individuals have the skills they need to be both employable and personally fulfilled.
	Through the Government's Manufacturing Strategy we are working closely with industry and other stakeholders to ensure that UK manufacturing has the skills it needs as it increasingly moves to high value, knowledge intensive operations.

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

Higher Education White Paper

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what his estimate is of the additional cost of implementing the proposals in the higher education White Paper in the first three years that they come into effect]

Alan Johnson: We plan to publish a Regulatory Impact Assessment before the end of the year which will set out the impact of this change alongside the financial implications of the other policies announced in the Higher Education White Paper.

Higher Education White Paper

Paul Farrelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to his Answer of 12 November, Official Report, columns. 354–5W, on the Higher Education White Paper, how many responses to the consultation on the White Paper on Higher Education were received from honourable Members; how many were included in the total in the Government's response to the consultation; and how many other responses received by (a) his Department and (b) other Government Departments and agencies within the time limit for the consultation were not included in the total in the Government's response.

Alan Johnson: Seven hon. Members responded to the invitation to comment on the White Paper and were included in the total in the Government's commentary of responses.
	All other responses similarly were included in the total in the commentary of responses which was published on 28 July 2003.

Non-EU Students

Jon Owen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will list the 50 (a) universities and (b) further education colleges with the highest numbers of non-European Union students registered for courses, giving the number of non-European Union students registered at each institution for the last year for which figures are available.

Alan Johnson: The latest available figures are given in the table.
	
		Non EU overseas students studying in English institutions, 2001–02
		
			  Number 
		
		
			  
			  
			 HE Institutions(18)  
			 Middlesex University 3571 
			 London School of Economics and Political Science 3425 
			 The University of Oxford 3265 
			 The University of Cambridge 3065 
			 The University of Nottingham 3042 
			 The University of Warwick 3038 
			 University College London 2933 
			 The London Institute 2911 
			 The University of Leeds 2855 
			 The University of Birmingham 2827 
			 The Victoria University of Manchester 2795 
			 The University of Sheffield 2440 
			 The University of Westminster 2104 
			 Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine 2014 
			 City University 1872 
			 King's College London 1869 
			 Oxford Brookes University 1825 
			 University of Luton 1759 
			 The University of Leicester 1710 
			 The University of North London 1678 
			 The University of Northumbria at Newcastle 1618 
			 The University of Central Lancashire 1582 
			 University of Hertfordshire 1567 
			 The University of Bristol 1565 
			 The University of Liverpool 1544 
			 The University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne 1539 
			 The University of Hull 1533 
			 The University of Essex 1521 
			 The University of Salford 1509 
			 The University of Reading 1466 
			 The University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology 1459 
			 Anglia Polytechnic University 1457 
			 The University of Greenwich 1453 
			 The University of Lancaster 1383 
			 The University of Portsmouth 1381 
			 The University of Bath 1348 
			 Coventry University 1344 
			 Leeds Metropolitan University 1328 
			 South Bank University 1308 
			 The University of Surrey 1302 
			 The University of East London 1299 
			 The University of Wolverhampton 1295 
			 De Montfort University 1233 
			 Queen Mary and Westfield College 1183 
			 The University of Southampton 1147 
			 Loughborough University 1134 
			 The University of Bradford 1108 
			 The University of East Anglia 1100 
			 The University of Kent at Canterbury 1081 
			 London Guildhall University 1072 
			   
			 Further Education Colleges(19)  
			 City College, Birmingham 810 
			 Brooklands College 747 
			 Bradford College 731 
			 Liverpool Community College 704 
			 Guildford College of Further and Higher Education 656 
			 Richmond Adult and Community College 603 
			 South Tyneside College 591 
			 Kingston College 581 
			 Bournville College of Further Education 538 
			 Crawley College 500 
			 Oxford College Of Further Education 483 
			 Lambeth College 477 
			 Solihull College 398 
			 City College, Manchester 392 
			 Newham College of Further Education 380 
			 Birmingham College of Food, Tourism and Creative Studies 379 
			 Chichester College 376 
			 West Herts College 376 
			 Reading College and School of Arts and Design 360 
			 Barnet College 351 
			 Manchester College of Arts and Technology 338 
			 Croydon College 317 
			 Dudley College of Technology 317 
			 Leicester College 313 
			 Harrow College 304 
			 Lewes Tertiary College 302 
			 South Thames College 298 
			 Oaklands College 295 
			 New College, Nottingham 281 
			 Gloucestershire College of Arts and Technology 279 
			 East Berkshire College 276 
			 Blackpool and The Fylde College 271 
			 Bournemouth and Poole College 265 
			 Northampton College 247 
			 Swindon College 243 
			 Wigan and Leigh College 235 
			 City of Bath College 217 
			 Southgate College 216 
			 Park Lane College 214 
			 Thomas Danby College 213 
			 Southampton City College 206 
			 Stratford upon Avon College 205 
			 Barnfield College 206 
			 Northbrook College, Sussex 203 
			 Bracknell and Wokingham College 201 
			 Broxtowe College, Nottingham 194 
			 The Henley College 190 
			 Suffolk College 185 
			 Walsall College of Arts and Technology 179 
			 Havering College of Further and Higher Education 178 
		
	
	(18) HE figures cover Non-EU overseas students studying HE and FE in English HEIs including the OU, based on a census count as at 1 December.
	(19) FE data cover Non-EU overseas students studying HE and FE in English FECs, based on a census count as at 1 November.
	Source: Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) and Learning Skills Council (LSC).

Non-EU Students

Jon Owen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  what percentage of non-European Union students at (a) further education colleges and (b) universities successfully completed their courses for each of the last five years for which figures are available;
	(2)  if he will list the 50 universities with the lowest percentage of non-European Union students successfully completing their courses, giving the percentage for each institution in the last year for which figures are available.

Alan Johnson: The information requested is not held centrally.
	For universities and other HE sector institutions, the available information on non-completion rates is published by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) in "Performance Indicators in Higher Education in the UK", but this information covers UK domiciled students only.
	For the FE sector, the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) only publish success, retention and achievement rates for those learners funded by the council in further education colleges and external institutions in England. However, the majority of learners from countries outside of the European Union are not funded by the LSC—so figures are not available. Furthermore, the LSC do not publish further education institution success, retention and achievement rates based on less than 500 learners as they can be misleading. In 2001/02, less than 15 further education institutions in England had more than 500 LSC funded non-European Union students.

Bechtel

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will list the contracts for consultancy and other work carried out by Bechtel for agencies responsible to his Department and its predecessor in each year since 1997, stating in each case (a) the nature of the work, (b) the value of the contract and (c) the duration of the contract; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Twigg: My Department has not awarded any contracts to Bechtel during this period.

Capital Projects

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  what the Government guidelines are for bids in relation to capital projects for schools; and how counties will apply for funds;
	(2)  when the bids for capital projects to build new schools were sent out to counties.

David Miliband: There are currently two main bidding rounds through which local education authorities (LEAs) are able to apply for capital funding for their school estates, Building Schools for the Future (BSF) and Targeted Capital Fund (TCF).
	The guidelines for the BSF programme were set out in guidance sent to all LEAs on 17 July 2003. The TCF guidance was issued to LEAs on 21 July. Both sets of guidance have been deposited in the House of Commons Library.
	In both cases authorities were invited to prepare proposals based on the guidance, and to submit their proposals by 31 October 2003. We hope to announce successful projects for the first phase of BSF (due to start in 2005–06) in early January 2004, and successful TCF projects (due to start in 2004–05) will be announced at the end of January.
	Expressions of interest for later years BSF funding are due to be submitted by LEAs by 19 December 2003. A further phase of successful BSF projects will subsequently be announced at the end of March.

Childhood Obesity

Alan Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how he intends to measure the impact of the Travelling to School action plan on childhood obesity.

Stephen Twigg: "Travelling to School: an action plan" describes how we are encouraging every school to draw up a School Travel Plan in consultation with parents, pupils, local authorities and other partners. School Travel Plans will help schools, local education and transport authorities identify what needs to be done to make it safe and practical for more children to walk, cycle and take the bus to school. The School Travel Planning process includes regular checks on the way pupils travel from home to school, indicating how many children are taking regular exercise which will improve their health and reduce the risk of obesity.

Official Residences

Howard Flight: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much the Department spent on (a) maintenance, (b) renovation, (c) council tax and (d) running costs of residential properties used by Ministers and officials in each year since 1997.

Ivan Lewis: My Department has not had any costs relating to Government owned official residences since 1997.

Education Villages

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  what discussions and consultations education authorities were required to carry out on education villages;
	(2)  how many schools have bid for capital funding for education villages in the South West;
	(3)  what the estimated total cost for education village bids is for the next two financial years;
	(4)  how many bids have been received for village education centres;
	(5)  whether the bids for (a) capital projects, (b) education improvements and (c) education villages are publicly available.

David Miliband: Although we are unfamiliar with the term education village, we understand that this expression has been used at some local meetings in Somerset when discussing the local education authority's (LEA) proposal for Building Schools for the Future (BSF).
	My written statements of 26 February and 26 June 2003 explain the aims of BSF, which is a programme of rebuilding and renewal to ensure that secondary education in every part of England has facilities of 21st century standard within 10 to 15 years (subject to future spending decisions), from 2005–06, when over £2 billion will be made available for investment.
	We asked LEAs to consult widely on their proposals for BSF, as set out in guidance for LEAs, a copy of which I have placed in the House of Commons Library. The closing date for submission of proposals for the first wave was 31 October.
	The Department does not make capital bids publicly available, because the bidding processes involve an exchange of information which is given in confidence. Whilst we are not aware of a bidding programme specifically aimed at education improvements, all capital investment is designed to raise educational standards in schools.
	Although Somerset is the only LEA to be using the term education village in this context, we have received 53 BSF proposals (including the one for Somerset) for consideration for the first wave of investment. Three of these are from the South West.

Foundation Degrees

Phil Willis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what estimate he has made of the number of students who will be studying foundation degrees in 2010; and how many he expects to study locally.

Alan Johnson: The estimated number of full-time equivalent places on foundation degree courses in English universities from 2002–03 to 2005–06 are given below. Projections by whether the student is living at home while studying are not available.
	
		Full-time equivalent student places on foundation degree courses (academic year)
		
			  
		
		
			 2002/03 9,500 
			 2003/04 12,000 
			 2004/05 30,000 
			 2005/06 50,000 
		
	
	Note:
	These numbers include HND places being replaced by foundation degrees.
	It should be noted that the total number of students in 2010 would depend on a number of factors, including demographic trends and rate of growth in participation towards the end of the decade. It is not possible therefore to make an estimate for 2010.

GCSEs

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of fifth-form pupils in (a) England, (b) comprehensive schools, (c) grammar schools, (d) secondary modern schools and (e) grammar and secondary modern schools taken together have achieved (i) five or more A* GCSEs, (ii) five or more A* or A GCSEs and (iii) five or more A*-C GCSEs in each year since 1997.

David Miliband: The information requested is given in the tables:
	
		(a) England -- Percentages
		
			 Academic Year (i) 15 year olds achieving five or more A* grades at GCSEs (ii) 15 year olds achieving five or more grades A*-A at GCSEs (iii) five or more A*-C GCSEs in each year since 1997 
		
		
			 2003(20) 2.9 12.3 52.6 
			 2002 3.0 12.2 51.6 
			 2001 2.8 12.1 50.0 
			 2000 2.6 11.7 49.2 
			 1999 2.4 11.2 47.9 
			 1998 2.1 10.6 46.3 
			 1997 1.7 9.8 45.1 
		
	
	(20) Provisional
	
		(b) Comprehensive schools -- Percentages
		
			 Academic Year (i) 15 year olds achieving five or more A* grades at GCSEs (ii) 15 year olds achieving five or more grades A*-A at GCSEs (iii) 15 year olds achieving five or more grades A*-C at GCSE/GNVQ 
		
		
			 2003(21) 1.5 8.7 50.1 
			 2002 1.5 8.6 48.8 
			 2001 1.5 8.5 47.1 
			 2000 1.4 8.3 46.4 
			 1999 1.2 7.8 45.0 
			 1998 1.1 7.4 43.1 
			 1997 0.9 6.8 41.8 
		
	
	(21) Provisional
	
		(c) Grammar schools -- Percentages
		
			 Academic Year (i) 15 year olds achieving five or more A* grades at GCSEs (ii) 15 year olds achieving five or more grades A*-A at GCSEs (iii) 15 year olds achieving five or more grades A*-C at GCSE/GNVQ 
		
		
			 2003(22) 15.0 51.5 97.4 
			 2002 14.9 50.8 97.5 
			 2001 13.5 49.7 97.5 
			 2000 12.5 47.9 97.3 
			 1999 11.3 45.1 96.4 
			 1998 9.3 42.0 95.4 
			 1997 7.1 37.6 94.1 
		
	
	(22) Provisional
	
		(d) Secondary modern school -- Percentages
		
			 Academic Year (i) 15 year olds achieving five or more A* grades at GCSEs (ii) 15 year olds achieving five or more grades A*-A at GCSEs (iii) 15 year olds achieving five or more grades A*-C at GCSE/GNVQ 
		
		
			 2003(23) 0.2 2.7 40.8 
			 2002 0.3 2.6 38.8 
			 2001 0.2 2.5 36.8 
			 2000 0.2 2.1 34.6 
			 1999 0.1 2.0 32.8 
			 1998 0.1 1.5 31.1 
			 1997 0.0 1.3 29.0 
		
	
	(23) Provisional
	
		(e) Grammar and secondary modern schools -- Percentages
		
			 Academic Year (i) 15 year olds achieving five or more A* grades at GCSEs (ii) 15 year olds achieving five or more grades A*-A at GCSEs (iii) 15 year olds achieving five or more grades A*-C at GCSE/GNVQ 
		
		
			 2003(24) 7.1 25.4 67.2 
			 2002 7.0 24.9 66.0 
			 2001 6.3 24.2 64.7 
			 2000 5.9 23.4 63.8 
			 1999 5.6 23.3 64.2 
			 1998 4.6 21.5 62.8 
			 1997 3.5 19.3 61.3 
		
	
	(24) Provisional

Graduate Tax

Paul Farrelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will publish side-by-side comparative analyses of the cashflow profiles, showing projected expenditure and receipts of (a) the graduate payback scheme proposed in the White Paper on Higher Education and (b) the principal variants of a graduate tax which his Department has considered.

Alan Johnson: I refer my hon. Friend to the two letters to my hon. Friend from my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, dated 11 April 2003 and 3 June 2003. Copies of both letters are in the House Library. I also refer my hon. Friend to the Government response to the Education and Skills Select Committee's report on the Higher Education White paper, published on 28 July, and to a letter to my hon. Friend from my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, dated 12 November 2003.

Graduate Tax

Paul Farrelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will place in the Library copies of focus group research which his Department has carried out into (a) higher education funding and (b) possible graduate contribution schemes.

Alan Johnson: Copies of "Student funding: findings from a two-stage programme of qualitative research on the funding of higher education" were placed in the Library and posted on the Department's Internet site on 28 March 2003.

Graduates

Paul Farrelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what recent reports he has received from Barclays Bank in respect of changes to the time it is taking for graduates to find a permanent employed position after leaving university.

Alan Johnson: The Department has not received any recent reports from Barclays Bank on the changing patterns of graduate employment.

Graduates

Paul Farrelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what recent reports he has received from Barclays Bank regarding recent levels of average graduate salaries.

Alan Johnson: The Department has not received any recent reports from Barclays Bank on average graduate salaries.

Higher Education

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much has been spent on widening participation in higher education in each year since 1997; on what schemes; and how much will be spent in each of the next five years.

Alan Johnson: Excluding student support, the relevant schemes and initiatives are as follows:
	Aimhigher (previously called Excellence Challenge) provides grants mainly to schools and colleges to raise the aspirations and attainment levels of young people. The Higher Education Funding Council for England's (HEFCE) Partnerships for Progression provides funds to universities for outreach. The White Paper The future of higher education announced that these two initiatives would be merged to form a new Aimhigher programme. Between 1998 and 2003, HEFCE established regionally based widening participation projects. Expenditure on these schemes and initiatives to 2005–06 are given in the following tables.
	In addition, HEFCE uses part of its teaching grant to provide a widening participation premium to universities to assist them with the additional costs of recruiting and retaining students from non-traditional backgrounds. The amount for this is £255 million in 2003–04, which includes £10 million from the Department's Aimhigher/Excellence challenge budget. HEFCE's disability allocation (£10 million in 2003–04) provides additional funding to universities to support recruitment and retention of disabled students.
	Plans for expenditure after 2005–06 will be determined during the next spending review.
	
		£ million
		
			  1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 2004–05(25) 2005–06(25) 
		
		
			 Excellence Challenge/higher — — — 50 69.5 100 — — 
			 Partnerships for Progression — — — — — 20 — — 
			 The new Aimhigher — — — — — — 126 128 
			 HEFCE's Regional projects 1.5 5 5 5 5 — — — 
			 Total non-student support 1.5 5 5 55 74.5 120 126 128

Higher Education

Paul Farrelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what models of higher education funding his Department has assessed based on increases to (a) basic rate income tax, (b) basic rate national insurance payable by individuals and businesses, (c) income tax paid by higher rate taxpayers only and (d) national insurance payable by individuals and businesses in respect of higher rate taxpayers only.

Alan Johnson: I refer my hon. Friend to the two letters to my hon. Friend from my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, dated 11 April 2003 and 3 June 2003. Copies of both letters are in the House Library. I also refer my hon. Friend to the Government response to the Education and Skills Select Committee's report on the Higher Education White paper, published on 28 July, and to a letter to my hon. Friend from my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, dated 12 November 2003.

Household Incomes

Paul Farrelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will publish the latest research he has commissioned on average household incomes by (a) parliamentary constituency and (b) local education authority in (i) England and Wales, (ii) Scotland and (iii) Northern Ireland.

Ruth Kelly: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National statistician. I have asked him to reply.
	Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Farrelly dated 19 November 2003
	As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent question relating to research commissioned on average household incomes by (a) parliamentary constituency and (b) local education authority in (i) England and Wales, (ii) Scotland and (iii) Northern Ireland.
	The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has not commissioned any research on average household incomes by parliamentary constituencies or by local education authorities. However, estimates of average household income and household disposable income are available at regional, sub-regional and local area levels (NUTS levels 1, 2 and 3 respectively), and were published in a news release on 26 March 2002, available on the National Statistics website at: http://www.statistics.gov.uk/pdfdir/reg0302.pdf.
	In most cases, NUTS level 3 areas are groups of administrative areas that are also local education authorities, but this is not the case throughout the UK.
	ONS has also conducted work to develop estimates of average incomes at the ward level, and the results should be published within the next three months. However, these estimates cannot simply be aggregated to parliamentary constituencies or local education authorities. These results will be the best estimates at the ward level, and to produce the best estimates for parliamentary constituencies or local education authorities, different methodologies are likely to be more appropriate.
	I understand that there is work carried out by the devolved administrations in Scotland and Northern Ireland on household incomes at various geographic levels.

Key Stage 3

Adrian Flook: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of children in (a) Wiltshire, (b) Dorset and (c) Devon gained level 5 or above in the Key Stage 3 tests in (i) English and (ii) mathematics in each year since 1997.

David Miliband: holding answer 17 November 2003
	The percentage of pupils achieving Level 5 or above at Key Stage 3 in (a) Wiltshire (b) Dorset and (c) Devon in (i) English and (ii) mathematics from 1997 onwards are:
	
		Percentages
		
			  (a) Wiltshire LEA (b) Dorset LEA (c) Devon LEA(25) England 
			  English Maths English Maths English Maths English Maths 
		
		
			 2003(26) 74 77 75 77 70 73 68 70 
			 2002 70 73 72 73 71 71 67 67 
			 2001 69 72 70 73 65 70 65 66 
			 2000 70 71 70 72 63 67 64 65 
			 1999 71 69 67 69 66 66 64 62 
			 1998 71 66 68 65 68 64 65 59 
			 1997 63 67 62 68 60 63 57 60 
		
	
	(25) For 1997, Devon LEA included schools in Torbay and Plymouth. Following the local government reorganisation in 1998, Torbay and Plymouth schools are excluded from the Devon figures.
	(26) The 2003 information is based on provisional data.

Licensed Qualifications

Eric Martlew: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans he has to introduce a licensed qualification for (a) bricklayers and (b) hairdressers; and if he will make a statement.

Ivan Lewis: We have no plans to introduce licensed qualifications for either bricklayers or hairdressers. While a statutory approach, such as a licence to practice or operate, may suit some industries, we believe that collaborative voluntary action will be the appropriate route for most sectors.
	We have an excellent example of such an employer led initiative in the Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS). Major contractors have made a commitment to improve performance by requiring members of their workforce to hold an industry record card—normally the CSCS.
	In the skills strategy we stated our determination to put employers' needs centre stage; it is for employers, not Government, to determine through their Sector Skills Council, whether this kind of agreement for collaborative action should be pursued.

Local Education Authorities

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the total targeted transitional grant is that he expects to give to local education authorities; and whether this sum is additional to the total DFES support grant available for local education authorities.

David Miliband: Indicative allocations of targeted transitional grant for 2004–05 were published on 29 October: these totalled £120 million. Allocations for 2004–05 will be confirmed later this month. I expect to make around half the 2004–05 level of grant available nationally in 2005–06: details will be confirmed in due course. The transitional grant is additional to the funding for local education authorities which was announced following the Spending Review 2002.
	In addition, if any local education authority is able to put forward a compelling case that additional, transitional funds are needed in the short term—above and beyond those already available to the LEA—my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will be prepared to consider bringing forward grant payments from my department, so that the LEA will have funds available in 2004–05 for this purpose, with the expectation of a consequential reduction to what they will receive in future years. The maximum amount that might be made available to each LEA in this way would be 300,000 per authority, or 0.2 per cent. of the authority's total education resources in 2004–05, if that is higher.

Modern Apprenticeships

Peter Pike: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what recent discussions he has had on modern apprenticeships; what plans he has to expand Government aided apprenticeships; and if he will make a statement.

Ivan Lewis: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and his ministerial colleagues have regular meetings with numerous organisations and agencies to discuss modern apprenticeship developments. The Secretary of State has agreed to take part in a panel discussion at the Confederation of British Industry conference to address skills issues including modern apprenticeships. There are plans for Sir Roy Gardner, Chair of the Modern Apprenticeship Task Force, to feed back the task force's interim findings to the Secretary of State and myself.
	The Government are wholly behind modern apprenticeships as a high quality work-based learning option for young people. We are fully committed to implementing the reforms recommended by the Modern Apprenticeships Advisory Committee under Sir John Cassels, and more recent skills strategy announcements. We have adopted a PSA target for 2004 of 28 per cent. of young people entering a modern apprenticeship before the age of 22. We have made sufficient resources available to ensure that we meet this target and are on course to achieve it.

Office of Fair Access

James Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what estimate he has made of the (a) capital expenditure and (b) running costs likely to arise as a result of the establishing of the Office of Fair Access.

Alan Johnson: This matter will be addressed in the explanatory notes which will be published when legislative proposals are presented to the House. We have proposed, in "Widening Participation in Higher Education" that OFFA will be separate from but supported by HEFCE. We do not expect any significant capital expenditure.

Primary Schools (Essex)

Mark Francois: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the vacancy figure for primary school teachers in Essex was on 1 September 2003.

David Miliband: Vacancy information is collected in January of each year. Information for January 2003 is shown in table 17 of the Schools Workforce in England statistical first release (SFR) of 9 September 2003. A copy of this SFR has been placed in the Library. The table is also available on the statistics section of the DfES website at: http://www.dfes.gov.uk/rsgatewav/DB/SFR/s000411/index.shtml

School Performance Tables

Phil Willis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the total cost of publishing stand-alone school performance tables for Key Stage 3 was.

David Miliband: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 4 July 2003, Official Report, column. 680W. The Key Stage 3, GCSE/GNVQ and post-16 performance tables are managed as one exercise so there are no separate costings.

Schwarz Review

James Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what process he followed in appointing Mr. Steven Schwarz to lead a review into admissions to higher education; what (a) exchanges and (b) representations took place between himself and Mr. Schwarz regarding the independence of such a review; and what guidelines there are regarding independence of reviews carried out at his request.

Alan Johnson: The Secretary of State for Education and Skills appointed Professor Steven Schwartz following discussion with organisations in the higher education sector. This included contact with the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE), and Universities UK (UUK).
	The Secretary of State for Education and Skills has drawn up clear terms of reference for the Admissions to Higher Education Steering Group which are set out in its recent consultation paper, "Consultation On Key Issues Relating To Fair Admissions To Higher Education", available from www.admissions-review.org.uk.
	The Admissions to Higher Education Review adheres to good practice in preserving the independence of such reviews. This is demonstrated by the following:
	Professor Schwartz, vice-chancellor of Brunel University, has been chosen as an independent chair from the HE sector.
	Professor Schwartz has a Steering Group whose members represent a wide range of interests and views.
	The secretariat support to the Steering Group is led by consultants seconded from universities, rather than permanent civil servants.
	Any services commissioned by the Steering Group where resources or facilities are provided by the DfES have been subject to service level agreements.
	An independent press agency has been used for all matters relating to the review.

Statistical Bulletin

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will place in the Library statistics for the most recent available year consistent with those on which DFES statistical bulletin 13–84 was based.

David Miliband: The Department does not produce figures in the form of bulletin 13–84 and to produce an update in that form would involve disproportionate cost.

Student Drop-outs

Tim Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what evidence he has collated on the differences in student drop-out rates between institutions, correlated with the socio-economic class of those dropping out.

Alan Johnson: The available information on non-completion rates by institution is contained in the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) publication 'Performance indicators in higher education in the UK ', a copy of which is in the house Library. The figures cover full-time first degree courses only and show the proportion of entrants who failed to complete their course for each individual HE institution in the UK. This data is not disaggregated by social class. However, the publication does show the proportion of young full time first degree entrants from the 'lower' social class categories for each institution.
	However, a number of research studies have explored the factors associated with students dropping out of higher education. The evidence shows that non-completion is a complex process that cannot normally be explained by a single factor. Other important factors (many of which are inter-related) include:
	Incompatibility between the student and their course or institution;
	lack of preparation for higher education;
	lack of commitment to the course;
	level of prior attainment;
	financial hardship;
	poor academic progress;
	health and other personal reason;
	age;
	gender; and
	whether or not the individual applied through clearing.
	Studies in this area include:
	(i) 'Right Choice? A follow up to "Making the Right Choice"' by Connor H, Pearson R, Pollard E, Tyers C, Willison R. Universities UK 2001, available from http://www.employment-studies.co.uk/pubs/report.php?id=1427uuk
	(ii) 'Effects of in-class variation and student rank on the probability of withdrawal: cross-section and time-series analysis for UK university students', by Arulampalam W, Naylor R A and Smith J, presented at the Royal Economic Society Conference at the University of Warwick in March 2002. It can be downloaded from http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/economics/staff/faculty/naylor/publications/
	(iii) 'Dropping Out: A study of early leavers from Higher Education' by Rhys Davies and Peter Elias, DfES Research Report 386 available from http://www.dfes.gov.uk/research/ (iv) 'Higher Education: Student Retention' a report made by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) to the House of Commons Education and Employment Committee, found at http://www.parliament.the-stationery- office.co.uk/pa/cm200001/cmselect/cmeduemp/124/12402.htm.

Student Drop-outs

Paul Farrelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what research his Department has (a) conducted or (b) received into the relationship between a student's financial position and their propensity to drop out of higher education; and what conclusions he has drawn.

Alan Johnson: A number of research studies have explored the factors associated with dropping out of higher education. These include:
	Improving student achievement in the English higher education sector HC 486, Parliamentary Session 2001/2002;
	"Dropping Out: A study of early leavers from Higher Education" (2003) Rhys Davies and Peter Elias, DfES Research Report 386; and
	Yorke, M (1997) "Undergraduate Non-completion in Higher Education in England" Bristol HEFCE;
	Arulampalam, W., Naylor, R. A. and Smith, J., "Effects of in-class variation and student rank on the probability of withdrawal: cross-section and time-series analysis for UK university students," presented at the Royal Economic Society Conference, University of Warwick, March, 2002;
	"Right Choice? A follow-up to 'Making the Right Choice'", Connor H. Pearson R, Pollard E, Tyers C, Willison R. Universities UK 2001;
	"Losing out: socio-economic disadvantage and experience in further and higher education" May 2003 Joseph Rowntree Foundation Smith J. and R. A. Naylor, "Dropping out of University: a statistical analysis of the probability of withdrawal for UK university students," Journal of the Royal Statistical Society, 2001, vol. 164, pp. 389–405;
	The evidence shows that non-completion is a complex process that cannot normally be explained by any single factor. Incompatibility between the student and their course or institution and a lack of preparation for higher education are the most commonly cited reasons for dropping out of higher education. Other reasons, which are often inter-related, include:
	lack of commitment to the course;
	financial hardship;
	poor academic progress; and
	health or other personal reasons.
	Research also shows that students with lower prior attainment and those who apply through clearing are more likely to drop-out of higher education other things being equal.

Student Loans

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment he has made of the effect on costs to his Department of raising the repayment thresholds on student loans to £15,000 a year.

Alan Johnson: We plan to publish a Regulatory Impact Assessment before the end of the year which will set out the impact of this change alongside the financial implications of the other policies announced in the Higher Education White Paper.

Student Loans

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what estimate he has made of (a) the total outstanding size of student loan debt with the Government and its agencies in each year since 2001 and (b) the total Government payment for full or partial remission of tuition fees since 2001; and if he will list the planning assumptions for the size of each for the next three years.

Alan Johnson: On (a) the outstanding size of student loan debt for England and Wales at the end of financial year 2001–02, i.e. at 31 March 2002 was £7,203,199,000. A figure for student loan debt as at 31 March 2003 will be available when the DfES Resource Accounts for 2002–03 are published which is planned for December 2003. Planning assumptions are based around an increase of approximately £2 billion per annum in student loan debt for England and Wales. The Department does not hold figures for Scotland and Northern Ireland.
	On (b) the cost to the Government of the public contribution to existing tuition fee remission arrangements for English and Welsh domiciled students studying in the United Kingdom is £382 million for 2001/02 academic year. Projections of fee income to English HEIs from home and EU domiciled students will be available at the end of November.

Student Loans

Paul Farrelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what recent research his Department has undertaken to establish whether students differentiate between debt and income-contingent loans.

Alan Johnson: The Department has not undertaken research to establish whether students differentiate between debt and income-contingent loans.

Student Loans

Paul Farrelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the average level of debt for a student leaving university was in each academic year since 1993–94.

Alan Johnson: The table shows the average student loan debt at the point at which they entered repayment status for borrowers who became liable to repay their loans in financial years 1999–2000 to 2002–03. Data for earlier years are not available.
	
		£
		
			  Average student loan debt on entering repayment status(27) 
			 Financial year enteredrepayment status(28) Mortgagestyle loans(29) Income contingent loans(30) Part-time loans(31) 
		
		
			 1999–2000 3,530 (32)— (32)— 
			 2000–01 4,090 2,300 (32)— 
			 2001–02 4,490 3,410 450 
			 2002–03 5,150 5,980 520 
		
	
	(27) Data rounded to nearest 10. Includes interest accrued up to the point of entering repayment status. Excludes any early voluntary repayments which may have been made before borrowers enter repayment status. Debt of borrowers with more than one loan type has been split between types.
	(28) Borrowers enter repayment status in the April following their graduation or otherwise leaving their course. Borrowers may have accounts in more than one cohort year of entering repayment.
	(29) Loans made to students who entered higher education up to 1997/98 or who entered in 1998/99 under existing arrangements. Includes loans repayable to the private sector following the sale of two tranches of student loans.
	(30) Loans, repayable on an income contingent basis, available to students who entered higher education from academic year 1998/99. These loans were subject to a repayment holiday until April 2000. Includes hardship loans.
	(31) Fixed-rate loans made to eligible part-time students, introduced in September 2000.
	(32) Not applicable.
	Source:
	Student Loans Company.
	The first cohort of students on a three-year degree course who entered higher education under the new student support arrangements became liable for repayment in April 2002. That, and earlier, cohorts includes a disproportionate number of students on shorter courses as well as those who have left higher education before completing their courses. Therefore the average level of debt will not be representative of the average debt experienced by those who complete their courses.
	Borrowers are liable to repay their loans from the April following graduation or otherwise leaving their course. Most borrowers who started their course from the 1998/99 academic year will repay income contingent loans. Loans for those who started their course before 1998/99 are repayable on a mortgage style basis.
	The Department does not have annual data for HE students' total debt on graduation (including bank loans, overdrafts, credit cards, and informal debts to family and friends). The Student Income and Expenditure Survey (SIES), which collects this information is undertaken every three to four years. Findings from the last survey in 1998/99 showed that the average total anticipated debt of all full-time students graduating in 1998/99 was £3,462. The Department has conducted a SIES for the 2002/3 academic year which will be published shortly.

Students

Paul Farrelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what recent reports he has received on the percentage of students attending university whose parents were graduates; and what trends they demonstrate.

Alan Johnson: In 2002 36 per cent. of 18 year olds in higher education had at least one parent with a degree (Youth Cohort Study Cohort 10 sweep three). The table shows that the trend over time appears to be reasonably flat.
	
		18 year olds in higher education with at least one parent with a degree -- Percentage
		
			 Year 1994 1998 2000 2002 
		
		
			 18 year olds in HE with graduate parent(s) 35 37 38 36 
		
	
	Source
	Youth Cohort Study cohorts 6, 8, 9 and 10

Teacher Training

Eric Martlew: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans he has to improve teacher training for further education college staff; and if he will make a statement.

Alan Johnson: In "Success for All" the Government set out its aim to enable six million learners to reach their potential. This depends on quality of teaching, which in turn depends on quality of teacher training. On 11 November we launched a consultation "The Future of Initial Teacher Education for the Learning and Skills Sector—An Agenda for Reform": http://www.dfes.gov.uk/consultations2/30 .
	We want all our partners in the learning and skills sector including the Inspectorates, funding bodies, employers and unions to join us in developing this agenda for change. This will support our ambition for more successful and satisfying careers for current and future generations of teachers, to the lasting benefit of learners.

Top-up Fees

Peter Pike: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what representations he has received on top-up fees for university students; what assessment he has made of the effect of top-up fees on decisions by students from low-income families to pursue further and higher education; what steps he will take to encourage students from low-income families to enter further and higher education; and if he will make a statement.

Alan Johnson: I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 11 September 2003, Official Report, column 464W, in which I described the numerous representations which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has received regarding variable fees. With respect to the impact of variable fees on students from low income backgrounds, I refer the hon. Member to my answer to the hon. Member for Newcastle-Under-Lyme (Paul Farrelly) of 12 November 2003, Official Report, column 354W, in which I set out the Government's proposed measures for safeguarding access to higher education for those from low income backgrounds.
	Our AimHigher campaign provides a focus for the many and varied widening participation activities going on at an institutional, local and regional level. To date, it has reached 1,223 schools and sixth form colleges and a total of 129,130 pupils, and the evidence shows that it is working: applications for entry into higher education in 2003 are up 4.2 per cent. in AimHigher areas compared to 1.6 per cent. in non-AimHigher areas.
	The introduction of variable fees will not impact directly on those in further education. However, we aim to increase participation in further education through a range of actions set out in our 14–19 Skills for Life, Skills and Success for All strategies which will ensure that students from low income families have access to high quality opportunities which meet their individual needs and that they are encouraged to fulfil their potential.

Tuition Fees

Paul Farrelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  what assessment he has made of the possible impact of tuition fees at universities in England on salaries for teaching and research staff at universities in (a) England, (b) Wales, (c) Scotland and (d) Northern Ireland;
	(2)  what steps he is taking to ensure, under the proposals in the White Paper on Higher Education, equality of opportunity for English students seeking to go to universities in (a) Wales, (b) Scotland and (c) Northern Ireland;
	(3)  what assessment has been made of the impact so far of the different systems of student funding in the UK on cross-border flows of students from (a) England and Wales to Scotland and (b) Scotland to England and Wales;
	(4)  what assessment he has made of the possible impact of tuition fees at universities in England on (a) research and (b) teaching at universities in (i) Wales, (ii) Scotland and (iii) Northern Ireland;
	(5)  what assessment he has made of the possible impact of tuition fees in England on cross-border flows of students from (a) Wales, (b) Scotland and (c) Northern Ireland to universities in England;
	(6)  what assessment he has made of the possible impact of tuition fees at English universities on the overall competitiveness of universities in (a) Wales, (b) Scotland and (c) Northern Ireland;
	(7)  what assessment he has made of the possible impact of tuition fees at universities in England on cross-border flows of academic staff to England from universities in (a) Wales, (b) Scotland and (c) Northern Ireland.
	(8)  what assessment he has made of the possible impact of tuition fees in England on cross-border flows of English students to universities in (a) Wales, (b) Scotland and (c) Northern Ireland.
	(9)  how, under the proposals in the White Paper on higher education, he will ensure equality of opportunity for (a) Welsh, (b) Scottish and (c) Northern Irish students to go to universities in (i) Wales, (ii) England, (iii) Scotland and (iv) Northern Ireland;
	(10)  what assessment has been made of the overall impact of the implementation in England of the proposals in the White Paper on Higher Education on universities in (a) Wales, (b) Scotland and (c) Northern Ireland.

Alan Johnson: We are involved in regular discussion with the devolved administrations on these issues.
	Funding decisions on higher education relating to Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are a matter for the devolved administrations. Matters relating to student support are also devolved in Scotland and Northern Ireland. The Government propose, subject to Parliamentary approval, to transfer student support to the National Assembly for Wales.
	After legislation to give effect to the transfer is in place, Professor Teresa Rees will start an independent review of student support and tuition fees in Wales. This will include the key question of future policy on variable fees and will advise the Assembly on what it might do with its new student support powers. The Third Stage Higher Education Review in Scotland is currently assessing the impact of the proposals emanating from the White Paper The Future of Higher Education (Cm 5735).
	Subject to any provisions in their access agreements, it will be for individual institutions to determine how they spend income raised from variable tuition fees.

Tuition Fees

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the residual income requirements are for full or partial remission of university tuition fees; and what the proposed residual income levels will be above which student grants will not be (a) fully and (b) partly paid from 2004.

Alan Johnson: For the present residual income requirements for full or partial fee remission, I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 20 October, Official Report, column 438W.
	The income thresholds for 2004–05 have not yet been finalised. From 2004 academic year, new students from a household with an income of £15,200 or less will qualify for a full HE Grant of 1,000. Those from a household with income between £15, 201 and £21,185 will qualify for a partial grant of between £50 and £1,000. We expect to announce the rates for the remaining thresholds within the next few weeks.

Tuition Fees

Paul Farrelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  what fee remissions he proposes for (a) students from more modest backgrounds and (b) students taking up (i) medicine or (ii) teaching;
	(2)  what further measures in respect of (a) maintenance grants and (b) student loans he intends to bring forward; and if he will make a statement.

Alan Johnson: The Government's policy on maintenance grants, student loans and tuition fee remission grant is set out in the White Paper "The future of higher education" (Cm 5735) published on 22 January 2003. I also refer to my written statement of 16 July 2003 to the House of Commons on raising the income threshold, for receipt of the full £1,000 Higher Education Grant, to £15,200.

Universities

Paul Farrelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what representations he has sought from businesses on their preferred methods of contributing to more funding for (a) teaching and (b) research in universities in the United Kingdom.

Alan Johnson: I have not specifically invited representations from business in relation to the funding of teaching in universities. As to research, a consultation on funding for research in Higher Education Institutions, The sustainability of University Research', was published by the Office for Science and Technology at the end of May. It closed for consultation on 30 September. Over 162 formal responses were received, including 11 from industry. These responses, and contributions from meetings with a range of organisations, are receiving careful consideration. The government anticipates an announcement on the outcomes of the consultation early in 2004.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Animal Welfare

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what research he has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the feasibility of implementing the recommendations in the report of July 2002 by the House of Lords Select Committee on the use of animals in scientific procedures; and if he will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Animal Welfare

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans there are to establish national research on the replacement of animals in basic medical research.

Caroline Flint: holding answer 22 October 2003
	I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Animal Welfare

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action his Department is taking to enhance the status of alternative research to replace animal experiments.

Caroline Flint: holding answer 22 October 2003
	The use of alternatives is widely encouraged and the use of animals in regulated procedures is prohibited by the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 in cases where a scientifically valid non-animal alternative is available.
	Much importance is already attached to alternatives research, both by Government (including public service research funding bodies) and the scientific research community. The latter has considerable incentive to develop replacements for the use of animals, and has an impressive track record in doing so. Responsibility for further progress continues to rest primarily with the researchers themselves, as they try to overcome the technical limitations of those systems and methodologies still dependent upon animal use. The Government will continue their efforts to support that, with the added focus and impetus provided by the various related recommendations of the House of Lords Select Committee on Animals in Scientific Procedures, the Government response to which has been well reported.

Animal Welfare

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what research he has commissioned into the levels of financial support other EU member states have given to alternatives to animal research; and what conclusions he has drawn.

Caroline Flint: holding answer 22 October 2003
	The Government have not commissioned any research into the levels of financial support other EU member states have given to alternatives to animal research and has no current plans to do so. However, we have not ruled out such research, should it become relevant to our consideration of the need for a United Kingdom centre for research into the alternatives.

Animal Welfare

Parmjit Dhanda: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he is taking to encourage alternatives to animal testing for medical research.

Caroline Flint: The use of alternatives is widely encouraged and the use of animals in regulated procedures is prohibited by the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 in cases where a scientifically valid non-animal alternative is available. Every year the Home Office makes available to the Animal Procedures Committee (APC) a budget aimed at developing or promoting the use of alternatives which replace animal use, reduce the number of animals used, or refine the procedures involved to minimise suffering (the 3Rs). Work aimed at improving the environmental conditions in which laboratory animals are kept and transported has also been sponsored. The amount made available to the Committee for 2003–04 for this specific purpose is £280,000.
	This is not the only money spent by the Government on alternatives, other Departments also fund such work. It is estimated that the total spent by the United Kingdom Government is between £2 million and £10 million each year. Industry also spends many millions of pounds each year on the search for and development of alternatives.
	We also support international initiatives, including the work of the European Centre for the Validation of Alternative Methods (ECVAM). The Chief Inspector of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Inspectorate is now the United Kingdom representative on the ECVAM Scientific Advisory Committee and is contributing to discussions about the future direction of ECVAM's work. The Chief Inspector and other members of the Inspectorate also participated last year in the Fourth World Congress on alternatives and Animal Use in the Life Sciences, in New Orleans, which the Home Office co-sponsored.

Alcohol (Public Places)

Anne Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  in what circumstances he would advise a local authority to introduce a city-wide drinking ban using the model Home Office bye-law rather than a designated public places order;
	(2)  if he will make a statement on the circumstances under which a designated public places order for a city-wide drinking ban may be used to address aggressive begging;
	(3)  what the average length of time taken to implement a designated public places order has been from the day on which the local authority made a decision.

Hazel Blears: Section 12–16 of the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001 (CJPA) came into force on 1 September 2001. The provisions in the Act allow local authorities to designate areas to restrict public drinking where there is evidence that nuisance is alcohol related. In such designated areas the police may use their discretionary powers to confiscate all alcohol where they reasonably believe that continued drinking in that place will lead to further disorder or nuisance. The CJPA provides the police with a more consistent set of powers including the power of arrest, which was not available in the previous bye-laws. Any relevant local authority drinking bye-law will lapse after five years commencing on 1 September 2001.
	The powers contained in the CJPA were never intended to be used to introduce a blanket restriction on public drinking. The powers were intended to be used to stop the immediate problems caused by anti-social drinking in designated areas and to allow the police to confiscate alcohol in those areas. Section 13 of the CJPA could permit the designation of an entire local authority area should that area be experiencing problems with nuisance that is alcohol related.
	The time it takes for a local authority to introduce an order will vary from the size of the area to be designated and also with regard to the time it takes to carry out the procedures required under the Local Authorities (Alcohol Consumption in Designated Places) Regulations 2001.
	The objective of the CJPA powers is to tackle anti-social street drinking, rather than begging. Begging is an offence under Section 3 of the Vagrancy Act 1824. It will be made a recordable offence from 1 December 2003.

Anonymity

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what informed and strengthened guidance has been given to the police and media on anonymity for those accused of historical child abuse; and where and to whom it is available;
	(2)  which Ministers are discussing with media representatives how intrusive and unhelpful reporting in cases with suspects of historical child abuse can be avoided.

Hazel Blears: I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Child Abuse

Colin Pickthall: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will remove the right to buy from a council tenant any of whose family resident in the family home are subject of an antisocial behaviour order for neighbour nuisance.

Hazel Blears: Under the Anti-Social Behaviour Bill we have made a number of improvements to anti-social behaviour orders. However, we are also aware that anti-social tenants can sometimes evade eviction by buying their homes under the right to buy. We are actively considering what steps we can take to prevent this and thus to protect communities.

Asylum Seekers

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on his provision of taxis for asylum seekers for visiting friends and family; out of which budget they are paid for; what criteria are used to assess whether or not an asylum seeker might be able to make use of such arrangements; and whether provision of taxis is a temporary measure.

Beverley Hughes: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Asylum Seekers

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers in each of the last six years have received (a) a criminal record and (b) been sentenced to prison.

Beverley Hughes: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Asylum Seekers

Shaun Woodward: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many female asylum seekers that have been settled in the United Kingdom requested that their husband not be granted asylum so as to protect them from domestic violence in (a) 2001, (b) 2002 and (c) 2003;
	(2)  how many female asylum seekers arrived in the UK seeking protection from an abusive husband or partner in (a) 2001, (b) 2002 and (c) 2003.

Beverley Hughes: I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Asylum Seekers

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers whose claims have been certified as clearly unfounded under section 94 of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 have lodged appeals from abroad; and how many of those appeals have been successful.

Beverley Hughes: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Asylum Seekers

Andy King: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate the Department has made of the number of asylum seekers given on committing fraud by unqualified legal advisers in the last year for which figures are available.

Beverley Hughes: I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Bus Lanes (Policing Costs)

Geoffrey Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much policing bus lanes in England cost in each of the last five years for which figures are available.

Hazel Blears: The information is not held centrally.

Citizenship Applications

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how long on average it has taken to deal with British Overseas Citizens' applications in the last year for which figures are available.

Beverley Hughes: I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Civil Service Bodies

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the (a) criminal justice and (b) other civil service bodies accountable to his Department which are not required to produce an annual report.

Fiona Mactaggart: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Community Justice

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on his plans to introduce community courts; and how these courts will work in practice.

Paul Goggins: I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Community Justice

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects there to be a community justice centre in every area.

Hazel Blears: I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Community Policy Directorate

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the purpose is of the Community Policy Directorate of his Department; what its estimated costs were for each year from 1990–91 to 2003–04 (planned); and if he will make a statement.

Fiona Mactaggart: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Corporate Killing

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions he has had with ministerial colleagues on the introduction of health and safety legislation to deal with corporate killing; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Correspondence

David Winnick: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when he will reply to the letter of 11 September from the hon. Member for Walsall, North regarding a constituent, reference: PO 13626/3 + K454708.

Fiona Mactaggart: I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Correspondence

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will meet the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton to discuss the letter to him dated 18 September 2003, with regard to Mr. M. J. Sattler.

David Blunkett: A letter was sent to my right hon. Friend on 22 September explaining that his letter had been transferred to the Office for National Statistics.

Correspondence

Brian Iddon: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when the hon. Member for Bolton, South East will receive a response to his letters of (a) 25 April, (b) 18 June, (c) 29 July, (d) 3 September and (e) 8 October regarding Mr.Dana Kamal, (HO Ref.K1119164).

Beverley Hughes: I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Correspondence

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when he will reply to the letter of 24 July 2003 from the hon. Member for Aylesbury on behalf of Mrs. M. Else of Allonby Way, Aylesbury.

Fiona Mactaggart: holding answer 18 November 2003
	I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Correspondence

Clare Short: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will reply to the letter from the right hon. Member for Birmingham, Ladywood of 4 September 2003 regarding Weston Clark, date of birth 26 February 1975, ref MEV339443.

Beverley Hughes: I will write to my right hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Crime Statistics (Northumbria)

Stephen Hepburn: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the recorded crime figures were for Northumbria in each year since 1997.

Beverley Hughes: I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Criminal Cases Review Commission

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the reasons for the change in the number of applications to the Criminal Cases Review Commission in 2002–03; and how he estimates this will affect its means of estimating application rates in the future.

Paul Goggins: I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Criminal Cases Review Commission

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how he intends to (a) decrease the rate of case review manager turnover and (b) increase the rate of recruitment in the Criminal Cases Review Commission;
	(2)  what measures are being taken to ensure that the number of case review managers is not affected by (a) staff turnover and (b) recruitment levels.

Hazel Blears: I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Criminal Cases Review Commission

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the relationship between his Department and the Criminal Cases Review Commission.

Paul Goggins: I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Criminal Cases Review Commission

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the level of accountability of the Criminal Cases Review Commission.

Paul Goggins: I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Criminal Cases Review Commission

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the work of the Criminal Cases Review Commission in its responsibility to consider and report to the Secretary of State on whether to recommend exercise of Her Majesty's prerogative of mercy in relation to a conviction.

Paul Goggins: I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Criminal Cases Review Commission

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in how many and what percentage of cases reviewed by the Criminal Cases Review Commission an investigating officer was appointed from another public body; and what percentage of these cases was referred to a court of appeal in each year since the inception of the service.

Hazel Blears: I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Criminal Cases Review Commission

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many and what percentage of cases reviewed by the Criminal Cases Review Commission have been referred to a court of appeal in each year since inception of the service.

Paul Goggins: I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Criminal Cases Review Commission

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he is taking to promote public understanding of the role of the Criminal Cases Review Commission.

Hazel Blears: I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Criminal Cases Review Commission

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cases referred to the Criminal Cases Review Commission have arisen from each region in the United Kingdom in each year since its inception.

Hazel Blears: I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Criminal Cases Review Commission

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of public confidence in the criminal justice system since the establishment of the Criminal Cases Review Commission.

Paul Goggins: I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Criminal Cases Review Commission

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the level of co-operation by (a) health authorities and (b) social services departments with the investigations of the Criminal Cases Review Commission, with particular reference to (i) the preservation of documents and (ii) access to them.

Hazel Blears: I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Criminal Cases Review Commission

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment the Criminal Cases Review Commission has made of (a) its dealings with non-public bodies and (b) its helpfulness in investigations.

Hazel Blears: I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Criminal Cases Review Commission

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cases referred to the Criminal Cases Review Commission were referred by (a) an independent solicitor and (b) legal partnerships in 2002–03.

Paul Goggins: I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Criminal Cases Review Commission

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the Criminal Cases Review Commission has a duty to analyse the causes of miscarriages of justice and suggest ways to reduce their incidence.

Hazel Blears: I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Criminal Cases Review Commission

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what assessment the Criminal Cases Review Commission has made of applicants and their views on the openness and transparency of the review process at the various stages;
	(2)  what measures are in place to assess the satisfaction levels of applicants to the Criminal Cases Review Commission and the work and investigation that is done on their behalf.

Hazel Blears: I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Criminal Cases Review Commission

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many and what percentage of initial inquiries and communications to the Criminal Cases Review Commission were responded to within three working days in each year since the inception of the service;
	(2)  how many and what percentage of correspondence at stage two of the Criminal Cases Review Commission have been responded to within 10 working days in each year since the inception of the service;
	(3)  how much and what percentage of correspondence at stage two of the Criminal Cases Review Commission was responded to within 10 working days in each year since the inception of the service;
	(4)  how much and what percentage of correspondence to the Criminal Cases Review Commission at stage one was responded to within 10 working days in each year since the inception of the service.

Hazel Blears: I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Criminal Cases Review Commission

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many and what percentage of reviews at stage one of the Criminal Cases Review Commission have been completed within 30 working days in each year since the inception of the service;
	(2)  how many and what percentage of reviews at stage two screen of the Criminal Cases Review Commission have been completed within 30 working days in each year since the inception of the service.

Hazel Blears: I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Criminal Cases Review Commission

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many and what percentage of provisional non-referrals at stage two screen of the Criminal Cases Review Commission involved the applicant making further representations within 20 working days; and what percentage of these cases went on to (a) stage two and (b) referral to Court of Appeal, in each year since the inception of the service.

Paul Goggins: I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Criminal Cases Review Commission

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on reaching tray two in the Criminal Cases Review Commission, how long on average cases have waited in each year since the inception of the commission before being assigned a caseworker.

Hazel Blears: I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Criminal Cases Review Commission

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in how many and what percentage of cases the Criminal Cases Review Commission investigated issues by (a) using its own resources, (b) appointing an expert to carry out an investigation or prepare a report, (c) requesting police to carry out work and (d) the formal appointment of an investigating officer, in each year since the inception of the service.

Hazel Blears: I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Criminal Cases Review Commission

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many and what percentage of provisional non-referrals at stage two of the Criminal Cases Review Commission involved the applicant making further representations; and what percentage of these cases went on to (a) stage three and (b) referral to Court of Appeal, in each year since the inception of the service.

Hazel Blears: I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Criminal Cases Review Commission

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in how many and what percentage of cases convictions have been quashed as a result of legislation that has been passed since the original case was heard, in each year since the inception of the service.

Hazel Blears: I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Criminal Cases Review Commission

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  in how many and what percentage of cases the Criminal Cases Review Commission exercised its section 17 powers in 2003;
	(2)  what the outcome was of discussions between the Criminal Cases Review Commission and his Department concerning possible improvements to the powers of the Commission.

Hazel Blears: I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Criminal Cases Review Commission

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in how many and what percentage of referrals non-disclosure has been a determining factor in the decision to refer in 2003.

Hazel Blears: I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Criminal Cases Review Commission

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what period of time on average cases were classed as non-priority by the Criminal Cases Review Commission in each year since the inception of the service.

Hazel Blears: I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Criminal Cases Review Commission

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what the outcome was of the Process Improvement Project;
	(2)  how many internal process improvement groups have been convened by the Chair of the Criminal Cases Review Commission; and how many process improvement projects have been set up as a result in each year since the inception of the service.

Paul Goggins: I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Criminal Cases Review Commission

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how long the Criminal Cases Review Commission estimates it will take to complete the review of case files that have been stored for five years following completion of reviews.

Hazel Blears: I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Criminal Cases Review Commission

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what targets the Criminal Cases Review Commission is working towards in the effort to minimise case accumulation; and when it estimates that this will be achieved.

Hazel Blears: I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Criminal Cases Review Commission

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  in what ways the Criminal Cases Review Commission's accommodation in the Alpha Tower has been designed to encourage communication and openness;
	(2)  how many training sessions and external courses were held by the Criminal Cases Review Commission in 2002–03; and what percentage of staff attended.

Paul Goggins: I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Criminal Cases Review Commission

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much funding was allocated to the Criminal Cases Review Commission under the Invest to Save initiative; and how this money was used.

Hazel Blears: I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Criminal Cases Review Commission

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many cases were referred to the court of appeal in each year from 1990 until the Criminal Cases Review Commission was established; and of these cases, how many (a) appeals were rejected and (b) convictions were quashed;
	(2)  what the results were of the quarterly surveys conducted by the Criminal Cases Review Commission to determine (a) how applicants became aware of the Commission's existence, (b) whether or not they found Commission staff helpful and (c) how they believe communications could have been improved;
	(3)  what the results were of the proof-of-concept trials by the Criminal Cases Review Commission on a knowledge management package in May and June.

Paul Goggins: I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Criminal Cases Review Commission

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many applications were received by the Criminal Cases Review Commission in each year from 31 March 1997 and 31 March 2003.

Hazel Blears: I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Criminal Justice Bill

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has for making appropriate treatment more widely available for the purposes of clause 16 of the Criminal Justice Bill.

Caroline Flint: I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Criminal Justice Boards

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will make a statement on the (a) work and (b) efficiency of the criminal justice boards; and what recent changes have occurred in the way cases are handled at local level.

Hazel Blears: I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Criminal Justice Royal Commission

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the total cost was of the Royal Commission on Criminal Justice that reported in June 1996; what the main budgetary items of expenditure were; for how many days the Commission sat in public; how many witnesses gave evidence; and how many copies of the final report were distributed.

Paul Goggins: I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Criminal Justice System

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to improve the representation of victims' interests in the criminal justice system.

Paul Goggins: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Criminal Justice System

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the timescale is for the Government's review of inspection arrangements within the criminal justice system.

Paul Goggins: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Criminal Records Bureau

Debra Shipley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  if he will make a statement on the Criminal Records Bureau's Overseas Information Service;
	(2)  what measures he takes to ensure that other Departments are made aware of the Criminal Records Bureau's Overseas Information Service;
	(3)  what measures he has taken to publicise to voluntary sector organisations the service offered by the Criminal Records Bureau's Overseas Information Service.

Hazel Blears: I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Criminal Records Bureau

Colin Pickthall: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether applicants for disclosures through the Criminal Records Bureau are required to have their fingerprints taken.

Paul Goggins: holding answer 11 November 2003
	I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Criminal Records Bureau

Michael Connarty: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will make a statement on the outsourcing of Criminal Records Bureau data processing to a company whose employees are based in India.

Paul Goggins: I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Cumbria Crime Squad

David Maclean: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  if he will make a statement on (a) the total cost, (b) the cost in terms of the wages of the officers under investigation of the inquiry into the Cumbria Force Crime Squad and (c) the cost in terms of public money;
	(2)  what reasons underlie the length of time taken by the inquiry into the Cumbria Force Crime Squad.

Hazel Blears: I will write to the right hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Deaths in Custody

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many deaths of under-18s held in custody in descending order by institution, there were in the past 20 years.

Paul Goggins: I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Deaths in Custody

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many incidents of (a) suicide and (b) attempted suicide by under 18s held in custody there have been in each of the last 20 years.

Paul Goggins: I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Domestic Violence

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action (a) has been and (b) will be taken by his Department regarding the recommendations of the 1998 report, Policing Domestic Violence: Effective Organisational Structures.

Hazel Blears: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Domestic Violence

Shaun Woodward: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what research he has commissioned on how many children who grow up in homes with domestic violence are (a) abused by a partner or husband and (b) abuse a partner or husband later in adulthood.

Hazel Blears: I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Drugs

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the proportion of property crime attributable to the misuse of Class A drugs.

Caroline Flint: I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Drugs

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many drug dealers were convicted in London in each of the last six years.

Caroline Flint: holding answer 17 November 2003
	The table contains data from the Home Office Court Appearances and Cautions Drugs Database showing the number of drug dealers in the City of London and Metropolitan Police force area cautioned and convicted in the years 1996 to 2000 (the latest year available). "Dealing" has been taken to mean drug trafficking, that is: to include possession with intent to supply, unlawful supply, unlawful production and unlawful import/export.
	
		Drug dealers(33) convicted or cautioned for drug offences in London, 1995–2000
		
			  Number of persons 
		
		
			 1995 2,360 
			 1996 1,980 
			 1997 2,130 
			 1998 2,350 
			 1999 2,040 
			 2000 2,320 
		
	
	(33) The phrase "drug dealer" has been taken to mean trafficking in drugs controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. That is: to include possession with intent to supply, unlawful supply, unlawful production and unlawful import/export.
	Source:
	Drug offender statistics databases.
	These data are taken from the annual Home Office Statistical Bulletin, "Drug Seizure and Offender Statistics, UK". Copies of the bulletin, area and supplementary tables and are available on the RDS website and in the Library (http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs2/hosb402.pdf)

Drugs

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate his Department has made of the street prices of illegal drugs in the last two years.

Caroline Flint: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Dungavel

Peter Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average length of stay at Dungavel Immigration Removal Centre for (a) adults and (b) children has been over the last 12 months.

Beverley Hughes: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Prisoner Education

Charles Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of prisoners at each (a) prison and (b) young offenders institution have received formal education within those institutions in 2003.

Paul Goggins: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Prisoner Education

Charles Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prison staff in each (a) prison and (b) young offenders institution are employed to provide educational services; and what proportion these figures represent of the total staff employed in each institution.

Paul Goggins: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Prisoner Education

Charles Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prison staff are employed in (a) prisons and (b) young offenders institutions to provide educational services for each of the past 10 years.

Paul Goggins: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Prisoner Education

Charles Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the budget has been for (a) literacy and (b) numeracy courses in (i) prisons and (ii) young offenders institutions in each of the past five years.

Paul Goggins: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Enforced Migration

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what work he is doing with the Department for International Development to tackle the root causes of enforced migration, with particular reference to (a) human rights abuses and (b) inequality.

Bill Rammell: I have been asked to reply.
	Enforced migration deriving from human rights abuse and inequality starts with discrimination and marginalisation. Both the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and the Department for International Development (DFID) address these root causes in their work to promote human rights abroad. This year the FCO will fund over £12 million worth of grass roots human rights projects in more than 60 countries. Full details of the FCO's work to promote human rights can be found in the Annual Report on Human Rights, a copy of which was sent to all Members of the House. An electronic version is available at: www.fco.gov.uk/humanrightsreport2003DFID is dedicated to the elimination of poverty through realisation of the human rights of the poorest people of the world. In 2002–03, spending related to human rights and empowerment totalled £112 million. DFID seeks to ensure that poor people are consulted on policies and decisions that affect them and are aware of their rights. This approach aims to promote social justice, including tackling human rights abuse. In October 2000, DFID published its strategy for achieving this goal, entitled "Realising Human Rights for Poor People". A copy was placed in the Library of the House.

Ethnic Monitoring

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many staff were employed by the National Probation Service in England and Wales as (a) chief officers, (b) assistant chief officers, (c) senior probation officers, (d) probation officers, (e) Probation Service officers and (f) administrative and clerical grades on the latest date for which figures are available; and how many in each category were (i) black and (ii) Asian;
	(2)  how many staff were appointed during 2002 by the National Probation Service in England and Wales as (a) chief officers, (b) assistant chief officers, (c) senior probation officers, (d) probation officers, (e) Probation Service officers and (f) administrative, clerical and secretarial grades; and how many in each category were (i) black and (ii) Asian.

Paul Goggins: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Ethnic Monitoring

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people left (a) the police service in England and Wales, (b) the prison service in England and Wales and (c) the probation service in England and Wales during 2001–02 and 2002–03; and how many of those who left were (i) black and (ii) Asian in each case.

Hazel Blears: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Evidence (Audio-recording)

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reason all interviews between the prosecution and defence witnesses in advance of trial cannot be audio-recorded.

Hazel Blears: I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Female Prisoners

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much it costs per annum for each female detained in prison in the UK.

Paul Goggins: I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Female Rape

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps his Department is taking to reduce female rape.

Caroline Flint: I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Firearms Legislation

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his timetable is for the review of firearms legislation announced on 30 April 2003.

Caroline Flint: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Fireworks

Ross Cranston: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to his answers of 16 December 2002, Official Report, column 640W, on fireworks, and 28 January 2003, Official Report, column 754W, on crime reduction, when he expects to place the findings of the exercise on crime and disorder reduction partnerships and their implications for nuisance and noise associated with fireworks in the Library; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Grants (Administrative Costs)

Patrick McLoughlin: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the administrative costs were of (a) Active Community Unit grants, (b) Race Equality grants and (c) Refugee Integration Unit grants in the last financial year.

Fiona Mactaggart: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Gurpal Virdi

Peter Bottomley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will request a copy of the investigation report by south Wales Police for the Metropolitan Police on the handling of the case of Gurpal Virdi.

Hazel Blears: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Identity Cards

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the implications of the proposed identity cards for (a) Irish citizens living in Great Britain and (b) persons living in Northern Ireland who under the Good Friday Agreement may define themselves as Irish citizens; and what discussions he has had with the Government of the Republic of Ireland on the issue.

Beverley Hughes: The identity cards scheme will enable residents of the United Kingdom, whatever their nationality, to obtain secure evidence of their identity. Irish citizens resident in any part of the United Kingdom, including persons born in Northern Ireland, who identify themselves as Irish will be able to apply for an identity card as soon as the scheme is in place.
	We have already alerted the Irish authorities to our plans and will discuss these with them in more detail once the work on implementation of the scheme is further advanced.

Identity Cards

Archy Kirkwood: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to his statement on Identity Cards on 11 November 2003, Official Report, columns. 171–87, what the evidential basis was of his estimate of £100 million a year in savings on benefit and related systems from introducing an identity card.

Beverley Hughes: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Identity Theft

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to propose legislation to make identity theft a criminal offence.

Caroline Flint: I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Immigration

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Crosby on delays in releasing persons subject to immigration control from Her Majesty's Prison Liverpool at the end of criminal sentences.

Beverley Hughes: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Immigration

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many arrests were made by (a) police and (b) immigration officers for offences under the Immigration Act 1971 in each year since 1997.

Beverley Hughes: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Immigration

Jack Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will make a decision on the case of Mr.William Michael Moore Rigg and Mrs.Marilyn Rigg, reference number R355557; and if he will make a statement.

Beverley Hughes: holding answer 17 November 2003
	The Immigration and Nationality Directorate made a decision on Mrs. Marilyn Rigg's case on 12 November 2003. A letter was sent informing them of the decision on Friday 14 November. Further documentation will be sent shortly.

Independent Monitoring Board

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Independent Monitoring Board annual reports he has received in each year since 1997.

Fiona Mactaggart: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Jamaican Prisoners

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of female Jamaican nationals in prison in the UK have (a) attempted suicide and (b) committed suicide in each of the last five years.

Paul Goggins: I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Justice and Home Affairs Council

Jimmy Hood: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the outcome was of the Justice and Home Affairs Council held on 6 November; what the Government's stance was on the issues discussed, including its voting record; and if he will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Market Research

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list each item of market and opinion research commissioned since May 1997 by (a) his Department and (b) agencies and non-departmental public bodies for which his Department is responsible; what the purpose of each item was; and whether the results were published.

Paul Goggins: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Missing Persons

Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of children who ran away from home since 1997 had (a) alcohol and (b) drug abuse problems.

Hazel Blears: I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

National Alcohol Strategy

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on his Department's contribution to the development of a national alcohol strategy; and what assessment he has made of its effectiveness.

Hazel Blears: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

National Probation Service

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many probation areas have suffered a financial penalty this financial year for failing to meet their targets; and what penalty was imposed in each case.

Paul Goggins: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Ombudsmen

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cases were considered by the (a) Police Ombudsman and (b) Prison and Probation Ombudsman in the last year for which figures are available; how many cases were (i) upheld or (ii) rejected; what the average time taken was to consider cases; and what the average cost per case was.

Hazel Blears: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Overseas Pupils

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate he has made of the total amount of visa charges that will be levied on overseas pupils attending boarding schools in the United Kingdom in this financial year.

Beverley Hughes: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Parliamentary Questions

Humfrey Malins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will reply to the questions tabled by the hon. Member for Woking on 23 October 2003, references (a) 134049, (b) 135434, (c) 135433, (d) 135431, (e) 135429 and (f) 135430.

Beverley Hughes: I replied to all the hon. Member's questions on 17 November 2003.

Passports

Terry Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the target period of time is for the passport service to deal with applications for passports; and what their performance was in the most recent period for which this information is available.

Beverley Hughes: I will write to the right hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Passports

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consultations he carried out before introducing fees for (a) applications for variation of leave and (b) endorsing passports.

Beverley Hughes: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Passports

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the progress his Department is making in dealing with (a) passport fraud and (b) duplicate or false national insurance numbers.

Beverley Hughes: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Passports

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Ribble Valley (Mr. Evans), Official Report, 30 October 2003, column 321W, what the projected administrative expenditure on passports is in (a) 2003–04, (b) 2004–05 and (c) 2005–06.

Beverley Hughes: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Payroll Contracts

Mr. Davey: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 30 June 2003, Official Report, column 14W, on payroll contracts, what period the £13.94 million contract relates to; and what estimate he has made of the amount of the reduction in the price paid in each year.

David Blunkett: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Penal System

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to his answer of 1 May 2003, Official Report, column 527W, on the penal system, if he will make a statement on the conclusions and recommendations of the second phase of the review of correctional services led by Patrick Carter; and if he will place a copy in the Library.

Paul Goggins: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Police

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers have taken early retirement (a) prior to and (b) during investigation for misconduct or other work-related offences in each of the past five years for which figures are available, broken down by (i) grade and (ii) force.

Hazel Blears: I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Police

Mark Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much funding per head of population Lincolnshire Police received in each year since 1995 from the Government.

Hazel Blears: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Police

Mark Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much funding per head of population each police authority in England and Wales received in 2002–03.

Hazel Blears: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Police

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make it his policy to guarantee compensation payments to police officers for illnesses caused by continuous long-term low level occupational exposure to radio frequency radiation.

Hazel Blears: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Prisons

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to combine the prison and probation services into a single correctional service; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Goggins: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Prisons

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the prisons which offer paid employment and the nature of the employment; which prisons have contracts with the (a) private and (b) public sector; what services and products are produced; and whether the services are profitable.

Paul Goggins: I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Prisons

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 8 September, references 128559 and 129219, on prisons, for what reason he chose scenario C as the basis for the projection; and if he will provide similar projections on the basis of scenarios (a) A, (b) B and (c) D.

Paul Goggins: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Prisons

Crispin Blunt: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many members of staff at (a) High Down and (b) Downview Prisons are not receiving the pay to which they are entitled within one month; and what proportion of staff this represents.

Paul Goggins: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Prisons

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to his answer of 6 March 2003, Official Report, column 1244W, on prisons, on which (a) assumptions about future sentencing trends and (b) new policy initiatives with an agreed timetable the forecast average prison population for 2003 to 2006 is based.

Paul Goggins: The projected prison population for 2003–06 in the answer given by the Secretary of State for International Development, the right hon. Member for Leeds, Central (Hilary Benn) on 6 March 2003, Official Report, column 1244W, was scenario C published in Home Office Statistical Bulletin 14/02 in December 2002. It assumes that custody rates increase by 1.25 per cent. per year for males and 2.5 per cent. for females to 2005, with the increase halving thereafter.
	The legislative and other changes that are included in the projection are given as follows:
	'Narrowing the Justice Gap'—one of the delivery targets for the Criminal Justice System.
	Crime (Sentences) Act 1997—automatic life sentences for serious repeat offenders; minimum custodial sentences of three years for third-time domestic burglars.
	Crime and Disorder Act 1998—the recall of short sentence prisoners released on licence; the extension of secure remands.
	Early release from Detention and Training Orders (DTOs).
	Intensive Supervision and Surveillance Programmes (ISSPs).
	Added days—effect of a decision by the European Court of Human Rights.
	The number of Immigration Act detainees.
	Extension of Home Detention Curfew (HDC)—the maximum period of HDC to be increased to 90 days for those prisoners eligible from 16 December 2002.
	An updated set of prison population projections was released on Tuesday 9 September in the April 2003 monthly brief. The projections take into account recent policy changes, such as the extension to HDC in July, and sentencing trends.

Prisons

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many juvenile girls being held in prison are pregnant.

Paul Goggins: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Prisons

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 24 February 2003, Official Report, column 116W, what his assessment is of the change in (a) criminal convictions and (b) the custodial population between 1980 and 2000.

Paul Goggins: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Prisons

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners in each of the last 15 years tested positive for (a) heroin and (b) crack cocaine; what proportion of the total prison population these represented; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Goggins: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Prisons

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether it is necessary for the Chief Inspector of Prisons to seek the permission of the Home Secretary to enter prison at any time; and what plans he has to change the rules governing the Chief Inspector's access to prisons.

Caroline Flint: I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Prisons

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement about his strategy for dealing with changes in the prison population.

Paul Goggins: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Prisons

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the populations of each (a) prison and (b) young offenders institute; whether each institution is overcrowded, giving (i) the definition of overcrowding used, (ii) by how much and (iii) for how long the institution has been overcrowded; and for each institution, how many prisoners (A) in absolute terms and (B) as a percentage of the total population (1) are serving 0 to three months, (2) are serving three to six months, (3) are serving six to nine months, (4) are serving nine to 12 months, (5) are serving 12 to 24 months, (6) are young offenders, (7) are elderly, (8) have mental health problems, (9) have learning difficulties and (10) are illiterate.

Paul Goggins: I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Prisons

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which prisons offer rehabilitation programmes, giving the nature of the programmes; how many prisoners participated in rehabilitation programmes in (a) absolute terms and (b) as a percentage of total population in 2003; and how many hours they spent on average in rehabilitation programmes on a weekly basis.

Paul Goggins: I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Prisons

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the population of each prison in Haltemprice and Howden was in the last quarter for which figures are available; and what the figures were for the preceding four quarters.

Paul Goggins: I will write to the right hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Probation Services

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Southwark, North and Bermondsey (Simon Hughes), of 20 October 2003, Official Report, column 416W, on probation services, what steps he is taking to avoid an overspend in the probation budget.

Paul Goggins: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Profiting from Crime

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to amend the law so that current and former criminals cannot profit from their crimes by (a) selling recorded or written material relating to their crimes and (b) engaging in speaking events regarding their crime.

Hazel Blears: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Pupil Visa Charges

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what form of consultation was undertaken by his Department on the planned introduction of visa charges for overseas school pupils attending United Kingdom schools.

Beverley Hughes: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Racial Crime

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of crimes committed in (a) England and (b) Wales in each year since 1997 were racially motivated; what steps he is taking to reduce these figures; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Rap Music

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent meetings he has held with producers of rap music records; and what the outcome was of those meetings.

Hazel Blears: I will write to my right hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Rape

Vera Baird: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many drug rapes were reported in (a) 2001, (b) 2002 and (c) the first half of 2003, broken down by sex of victim.

Caroline Flint: I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Rape

Shaun Woodward: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many women reported rape by their husband or partner in (a) 2001, (b) 2002 and (c) 2003.

Paul Goggins: I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Recorded Crime

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, for what reasons the number and proportion of recorded crimes for which an offender was brought to justice changed in 2001–02.

Hazel Blears: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Sex Offenders Register

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will set out in descending order how many (a) registered sex offenders and (b) registered sex offenders per 100,000 population there were in each local authority.

Paul Goggins: I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Sex Offenders Register

Paul Beresford: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans he has to provide further assistance to police in (a) checking details of individuals on the Register of Sexual Offenders and (b) undertaking risk assessments of those individuals; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Goggins: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Sex Offenders Register

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of those on the sex offenders register have been convicted of a further offence following registration.

Paul Goggins: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Offender Rehabilitation

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he plans to introduce legislation to amend the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

Paul Goggins: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Released Prisoners (London)

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners were released from prison in London in the last 12 months; and how many are estimated to have (a) mental health and (b) drug or alcohol problems.

Paul Goggins: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Road Safety

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department to what standard of accuracy speed cameras work.

Caroline Flint: Until July 2003, the standard to which speed cameras were required to operate was a positive error of no more than 3mph up to 100mph, and 3 per cent. above 100mph. The negative error was not greater than 5mph or 10 per cent. above 50mph. From July 2003, in line with European standards, new speed cameras will be required to be accurate to ±2mph up to 66mph and ±3 per cent. above 66mph. This has not yet been implemented for existing cameras, but we consider that all cameras are in fact already accurate to this level.

Road Safety

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what help he gives to chief constables to publish speed messages.

Caroline Flint: Publicity on this issue is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport. We recognise that speeding contributes to accidents and that encouraging drivers to slow down can help effect a reduction in the number of accidents. We have made clear in the National Policing Plan our conviction that the National Safety Camera Scheme is effective in reducing speed-related death and injury and our encouragement for all police forces to support it.

Schools (Violence)

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action the Government are taking to support teachers and school staff in their work to prevent (a) violence and (b) crime in schools.

Ivan Lewis: The great majority of schools are orderly places and serious violence is rare. However, we are determined to raise standards of behaviour and security further. We are therefore investing an average of £156 million annually over the next three years in a wide-ranging programme to improve behaviour and attendance in schools. This includes better training for school staff in managing pupil behaviour; support for pupils at risk of becoming involved in crime; and closer working between police and schools, with some officers based in schools in over 50 local education authority areas. We are currently running conferences to help schools combat bullying. We are also making schools more secure; we have legislated against offensive weapons and trespass and published a legal toolkit for dealing with aggressive intruders; we have supported security measures through the Standards Fund and Capital Modernisation Fund, and we are giving school security priority in credit approvals for local authority capital investment.

Sentencing

Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the sentences available to judges following a conviction for throwing missiles from bridges over motorways and trunk roads.

Beverley Hughes: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Sentencing

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to improve public understanding of (a) sentencing policy and practice and (b) community service.

Paul Goggins: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Sexual Offences

Vera Baird: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the most recent rates of (a) prosecution and (b) conviction are for rape and sexual assault in police areas which (i) have and (ii) do not have sexual assault referral centres.

Hazel Blears: I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Sexual Offences

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the number of offenders likely to be caught under the internet grooming provision of the Sexual Offences Bill.

Paul Goggins: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Sexual Offences

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have been (a) arrested, (b) charged, (c) convicted and (d) sentenced to immediate custody in the course of Operation Ore; how many cases are being investigated; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Sexual Offences

Liz Blackman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether a code of practice will accompany the Sexual Offences Bill.

Paul Goggins: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Sexual Offences

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when he will publish guidelines for the Sexual Offences Bill; and what plans he has to consult on these guidelines.

Paul Goggins: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Sexual Offences

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the NGOs to whom the parliamentary under secretary expressed appreciation for the work they had done on the issue of consensual sexual activity short of penetrative sex between under 16s; and whether these NGOs will be directly involved in compiling the Crown Prosecution Service guidance on this issue.

Paul Goggins: I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Student Visas

Jon Owen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent estimate he has made of the percentage of those on student visas who complete their courses; and what estimate he has made of the number of those on student visas who remain in this country after their visa has expired.

Beverley Hughes: I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Sustainable Development

Sue Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the sustainability strategy is for his Department; and if he will make a statement on how it has changed since the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg.

Fiona Mactaggart: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

"Think First" Programmes

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will publish his research on the completion rates of offenders attending pilot accredited programmes, known as "Think First", in England and Wales.

Paul Goggins: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Victim Support

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what (a) number and (b) percentage of complainants (i) were offered victim support services and (ii) accepted the help of victim support services, at an early stage in the investigation of child abuse cases in the last five years.

Paul Goggins: I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Vulnerable People (Transport)

Brian Iddon: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what advice he has given to local authorities to help them determine the suitability of licensed (a) taxi and (b) private hire drivers to escort vulnerable people, including children, in the absence of an enhanced check.

Hazel Blears: I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Waterloo Immigration Office

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what impact he estimates the proposed closure of the Waterloo Immigration Office will have on border control at this point of entry.

Beverley Hughes: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Waterloo Immigration Office

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what he estimates the cost will be of relocating the Immigration Office at Waterloo to France.

Beverley Hughes: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Waterloo Immigration Office

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reason (a) French officers at the Waterloo Immigration Office carry guns and (b) British officers there do not.

Beverley Hughes: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Wetherby Young Offenders Institution

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) assaults and (b) incidents of criminal damage there were in Her Majesty's Young Offenders Institution Wetherby in each of the past five years.

Paul Goggins: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Wetherby Young Offenders Institution

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many sick days have been taken off by staff at Her Majesty's Young Offenders Institution Wetherby in each of the past five years.

Paul Goggins: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Wetherby Young Offenders Institution

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many times staff at Her Majesty's Young Offenders Institution Wetherby had to use control and restraint in each of the past five years.

Paul Goggins: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Wetherby Young Offenders Institution

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the grounds are for (a) the removal of staff batons and (b) the proposed replacement of staff uniforms at Her Majesty's Young Offenders Institution Wetherby.

Paul Goggins: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Young Offenders

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many young offenders found guilty of criminal damage have undertaken reparation under the (a) Reparation Order, (b) Action Plan, (c) Referral Order and (d) Supervision Order since their introduction;
	(2)  how many young offenders he estimates will undertake reparation under the (a) Reparation Order, (b) Action Plan, (c) Referral Order and (d) Supervision Order over the next two years;
	(3)  if he will make a statement on the forms of reparative activities that have been undertaken through the (a) Reparation Order, (b) Action Plan, (c) Referral Order and (d) Supervision Order;
	(4)  if he will make a statement on the re-offending rate of young offenders found guilty of criminal damage who took part in reparation schemes in 2002–03.

Hazel Blears: I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Young Offenders

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the results of the ISSP schemes; what the completion rate of young offenders guilty of criminal damage on the ISSP schemes has been; and what the re-offending rate of the young people responsible for criminal damage on the ISSP scheme has been.

Hazel Blears: I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Young Offenders

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many juveniles failed to make contact with the youth offending team on release from prison in the last year for which figures are available.

Paul Goggins: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Young Offenders

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many girls aged (a) 16, (b) 17 and (c) 18 years are serving sentences in women's prisons.

Paul Goggins: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Youth Violence

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures the Government are taking to reduce youth violence.

Hazel Blears: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Zahid Mubarek

Neil Gerrard: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will set up a public inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death of Zahid Mubarek following the judgment of the House of Lords on 16 October in the case of Regina v Secretary of State for the Home Department ex parte Amin.

Paul Goggins: holding answer 10 November 2003
	I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Georgia

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the Government is taking to ensure that (a) proper democratic processes are being followed and (b) that fair elections are taking place in the Republic of Georgia.

Bill Rammell: The United Kingdom has taken every opportunity, both in our bi-lateral contacts and through our membership of international fora, to impress upon the Georgians the importance of the parliamentary elections being free and fair. Our Embassy in Tbilisi has maintained close and regular contact with government, opposition leaders and the Central Electoral Commission in the run up to, and the aftermath of the elections. We contributed a large number of observers to the OSCE monitoring mission. The UK also helped fund a Georgian NGO, the International Society for Fair Elections, to conduct a media campaign raising awareness of the democratic process.
	The UK has endorsed the findings of the International Election Observation Mission on the conduct of the electoral process and encouraged all sides to come to a peaceful, negotiated settlement. The international community, including the UK, has impressed upon the Georgian authorities the need for perceived weaknesses in the electoral system to be resolved before the Presidential elections in 2005. Together with our EU partners, we made a statement on 13 November to this effect. The UK Special Representative to the South Caucasus also raised the matter with government and opposition politicians during his visit to Tbilisi last week.
	We will consider how we can best help the Georgian Electoral Commission to bring about the required improvements in the electoral system.

Georgia

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the situation in Georgia.

Bill Rammell: I refer the hon. Lady to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Romford (Andrew Rosindell) today (UIN139049).

Afghanistan

Stephen Hepburn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent progress has been made in improving Afghanistan's drug law enforcement capacity.

Bill Rammell: As lead nation for counter narcotics activity in Afghanistan, the UK supports the Afghan National Drug Control Strategy which was adopted by President Karzai in May 2003. The strategy proposes activities in four key areas: improved drugs law enforcement; alternative livelihoods for poppy farmers; capacity building for Afghan drugs institutions; and public awareness campaigns/treatment programmes to help reduce demand. The UK is committing £70 million over the next three years and additional British Embassy drugs personnel to drive forward implementation of the strategy.
	In the area of improved drugs law enforcement, the UK is working with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime on a basic law enforcement training programme to develop the investigation, detection, interdiction and intelligence capabilities of Afghanistan's principal drug enforcement agency, the Counter Narcotics Police. The UK has trained over 100 officers of the Counter Narcotics Police to date, including two female officers, and has involved trainers from Pakistan, Turkey and Iran in the counter-narcotics training package.
	The UK plans to build upon this training by seconding international experts to mentor officers in Kabul and the regions. Progress in reforming Afghanistan's drug enforcement capacity, as in other areas of the drugs strategy, is dependent upon wider improvements in security and governance.

Afghanistan

Stephen Hepburn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent estimate he has made of the percentage of the UK's heroin supply coming from Afghanistan.

Bill Rammell: On the basis of forensic analysis of heroin seizures, it is estimated that at least 95 per cent. of the heroin used in the UK is produced from opium grown in Afghanistan.

Afghanistan

Stephen Hepburn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the size of the poppy harvest was in Afghanistan in each year since 2000.

Bill Rammell: The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) conducts an annual survey into the level of opium cultivation and production in Afghanistan. Their figures since 2000 are as follows:
	
		
			  Hectares Tonnes 
		
		
			 2000 82,000 3,300 
			 2001 8,000 185 
			 2002 74,000 3,400 
			 2003 80,000 3,600 
		
	
	The low level of cultivation and low production figure in 2001 reflect the Taliban ban on opium cultivation; the ban did not however address the underlying causes of poppy cultivation in Afghanistan and was enforced with mix of threat and bribery.

Azerbaijan

Huw Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on bilateral relations with Azerbaijan.

Bill Rammell: The UK has a good bilateral relationship with Azerbaijan. The most recent ministerial visit was by my right hon. Friend the then Minister for Energy in May this year, to attend the Caspian Oil and Gas Show in Baku. Ilham Aliev, now President, visited the UK in June when he called on the Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, my hon. Friend the Member for North Warwickshire (Mike O'Brien), and the then Secretary of State for International Development my noble Friend Baroness Amos.
	In January 2003, we extended the mandate of Sir Brian Fall the UK Special Representative to cover the whole of the South Caucasus underlining the commitment of the Government to play an active part in the efforts of the international community to help resolve the Nagorno Karabakh conflict.
	UK investment in Azerbaijan totals $US 2 billion. The vast majority of this is BP's investment in the oil and gas sector, which has contributed much to the development of the oil and gas industry in Azerbaijan. BP is the largest foreign investor, operating four offshore oil and gas exploration and development contracts. BP is leading the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (ETC) pipeline project. The BTC pipeline will provide an export route for oil (and subsequently gas) from Azerbaijan's Caspian oil fields to Europe.

Burma

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on British American Tobacco's decision to stop its cigarette making operation in Burma.

Mike O'Brien: I welcome that BAT, the largest remaining UK investor in Burma, has responded to the Government's request that they leave the country. BAT's decision reinforces our long held policy of not encouraging trade, investment or tourism in Burma. As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister stated in June, trade and investment with Burma is not appropriate while the military regime continues to suppress the basic rights of its people. This will remain our policy until we see concrete evidence of genuine political will by the regime to work towards national reconciliation, democracy, and respect for human rights in Burma.

Colombia

Richard Allan: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps his Department is taking to ensure compliance by the Colombian Government with recommendations by the UN on human rights.

Bill Rammell: The issue of the implementation of UN recommendations was discussed at the London Meeting on International Support for Colombia which the UK hosted on 10 July this year. The Colombian Government pledged to implement these recommendations promptly and take effective action against impunity and collusion especially with the paramilitary groups. In my meeting with the Colombian Foreign Minister in New York in September, I underlined the importance we attached to this commitment. A working group of representatives of the governments who attended the London Meeting has been set up in Bogota to monitor and evaluate progress on implementation.

Colombia

Richard Allan: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions his officials have held with the Colombian Government on rates of voter abstention in (a) the Colombian referendum and (b) the municipal and departmental elections of 25 and 26 October.

Bill Rammell: We hold regular discussions with the Colombian authorities and others on a wide range of topics, including the outcomes of the recent referendum and the municipal and departmental elections.

Correspondence

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 
	(1)  when he will reply to the letter to him dated 7 October from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Mrs. R. F. Nayeem;
	(2)  when he will reply to the letter to him dated 6 October from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Mrs. F. Begum;
	(3)  when he will reply to the letter to him dated 2 October from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Mr. Tufail Choudhary.

Chris Mullin: I can confirm that as a result of an administrative error, no replies were sent to my right hon. Friend's letters of 2, 6, 7 October to my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary about Mr. Tufail Choudhary, Mrs. F. Begum and Mrs. Ruzi Farzana Nayeem.
	It would appear that a package containing a number of my right hon. Friend's letters was lost while in transit between my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary's office and UKvisas, the department responsible for entry clearance matters arising overseas. The letters that were lost have now been identified and copies have been sent to UKvisas. I can assure my right hon. Friend that my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary will write to him in the next few days on this case.

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the levels of (a) United Kingdom and (b) UN troops in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Jack Straw: holding answer 18 November 2003
	I refer the right hon. and learned Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to the hon. Member for Twickenham (Dr. Cable) on 12 November 2003, Official Report, column 314W.

Departmental Costs

Howard Flight: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the cost was to his Department for (a) ministerial cars and drivers, (b) taxis, (c) train travel, (d) the use of helicopters, (e) airline tickets and (f) chartered aeroplanes in each year since 1997.

Bill Rammell: Under the terms of the Framework Document, the responsibility for the provision of ministerial cars and drivers is delegated to the Government Care Despatch Agency. I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by my hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on 13 November 2003, Official Report, column 397W.
	Expenditure in the UK under the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) taxi contracts for each year since 1997 was as follows:
	
		£
		
			 Year Expenditure 
		
		
			 1997–98 152, 442.64 
			 1998–99 226,736.15 
			 1999–2000 329,903.63 
			 2000–01 380,830.36 
			 2001–02 525,026.69 
			 2002–03 499,164.22 
		
	
	These figures do not include details of any taxi journeys undertaken by staff outside the scope of the FCO's taxi contracts and for which reimbursement is made through the Department's travel claim system. Expenditure on taxis will also have been incurred by our Missions overseas. Neither of these costs are recorded separately, and it would involve disproportionate cost to identify them.
	The FCO purchases tickets for rail and air travel through a contract with American Express. Figures for this expenditure are immediately available for the 2001–02 and 2002–03 financial years only, and are as follows:
	
		£
		
			 Year Rail Air 
		
		
			 2001–02 752,364 15,730,892 
			 2002–03 699,569 15,269,677 
		
	
	I will write to the hon. Member with the figures for 1997–98 to 2000–01 as soon as they are provided by American Express. However, this data do not include the cost of rail or air journeys booked direct by members of staff and reimbursed through the Department's travel claim system. Direct expenditure on air travel will also have been incurred by our Missions overseas. These costs are not recorded separately, and again it would involve disproportionate cost to identify them.
	Details of the types of aircraft used by FCO travellers, (i.e. helicopters), are not recorded. Neither does the Department or its contractor centrally maintain information on whether FCO personnel travel by scheduled or chartered flights.

European Court of Human Rights

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it his policy (a) to oppose the introduction of new admissibility criteria for individual petitioners to the European Court of Human Rights and (b) to urge all member states to consult on the matter with (i) the legal community and (ii) civil society; and if he will make a statement.

Denis MacShane: The Government supports the introduction of the new admissibility criteria for individual petitioners to the European Court of Human Rights. The new admissibility criteria are not designed to restrict the right of individual application. But if the Court is not given discretion to apply the new criteria, that right could be put at risk by the ever-increasing volume of applications which prevents the Court from dealing with any applications in a reasonable time.
	The Government endorses paragraph 14 of the Council of Europe's Committee of Ministers' Declaration of 15 May, which encourages the Governments of member states to share information on this matter with civil society. Civil society representatives and independent experts will have the opportunity to raise questions at a Symposium at the Council of Europe on 17 November, with a further symposium proposed for early 2004.

European Constitution

Nick Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what shared competence exists on energy policy within the EU; and what impact he estimates the proposed Energy Chapter will have on the United Kingdom.

Denis MacShane: I refer my right hon. Friend to the answer I gave him on 11 November 2003, Official Report, column 204W.

European Constitution

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the areas of policy, legislation, administration and decision on objectives to be attained which (a) are and (b) will be the exclusive responsibility of the European Union, and the Articles of the proposed Constitution in which these are set out.

Denis MacShane: Article 12 (1) of Part I of the Convention on the Future of Europe's draft Constitutional Treaty states that the EU would have exclusive competence in the following areas: competition rules necessary for the functioning of the internal market: monetary policy for member states who have adopted the Euro; common commercial policy: customs union: and the conservation of marine biological resources under the common fisheries policy.

Gibraltar

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Gibraltar Government in negotiations with the Spanish Government on the future of Gibraltar.

Denis MacShane: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has had no recent discussions with the Government of Gibraltar on this subject. When 1 visited Gibraltar on 4 July, my discussions with the Chief Minister covered, among many other issues, the subject of negotiations with Spain.

Guantanamo Bay

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the decision by the United States Supreme Court to reassess the legality of holding prisoners in Guantanamo military base as it affects British prisoners held there.

Chris Mullin: On 10 November, the Supreme Court granted certiorari in the case Al Odah v. United States, which concerns detainees held in Guantanamo Bay. The question that the Court has agreed to hear is "Whether United States courts lack jurisdiction to consider challenges to the legality of the detention of foreign nationals captured abroad in connection with hostilities and incarcerated at the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, Cuba."
	The Government will of course consider the Supreme Court's judgement on this question once it has been issued.

Indonesia

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions his Department has had with the Government of Indonesia on (a) suppressing the rebels' uprising and (b) humanitarian assistance in Aceh.

Mike O'Brien: The Government has regularly urged the Indonesian Government and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) to return to negotiations for a peaceful solution to the conflict in Aceh.
	Together with other members of the Tokyo Group (the EU, US, Japan and World Bank) we have recently called for improved access to Aceh for international agencies and NGOs, and for the impact on the people of Aceh to be minimised. The UK continues to work through NGOs and the UN to provide assistance to the people of Aceh. We continue to discuss Aceh with political contacts in Indonesia and the Indonesian Ambassador to the UK.

International Atomic Energy Agency

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to make additional resources available to the International Atomic Energy Agency to support its increased safeguards burden in Iran following the agreement concluded in Tehran on 21 October.

Denis MacShane: The United Kingdom supported a successful call for additional resources for the IAEA's activities at the board of Governors' meeting earlier this year. We believe that, with these additional resources, the IAEA will be able to undertake all of the safeguards tasks with which they are mandated, including work in Iran.

Iran

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the Government is taking to prevent the Islamic Republic of Iran from obtaining and developing the capabilities to (a) produce and (b) employ nuclear weapons.

Bill Rammell: Together with our partners from France and German, we have been engaged in intensive discussion with the Iranian Government to persuade them to suspend activities associated with the development of a nuclear weapons capability.
	Iran has announced that it will suspend the enrichment of uranium and activities associated with the reprocessing of nuclear fuels. We will continue to monitor closely Iran's implementation of this course of action.

Iran

Shaun Woodward: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the Government's policy is on Iran's enrichment of uranium.

Denis MacShane: Together with our French and German partners, we have made clear to Iran that it must suspend all uranium enrichment activities.

Iraq

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the evidential basis is for the statements made on page 34 and 35 of the Iraq dossier of 24 September on inspections by UNSCOM of the presidential sites.

Bill Rammell: Only one team of inspectors (UNSCOM 243) was allowed to visit Presidential Sites under a special arrangement facilitated by the UN Secretary-General. Their report of their visit to the sites makes clear that they were not able to carry out full inspections at any of the sites. They were never allowed to return.
	The full report of UNSCOM 243 can be found on the UNSCOM internet website at: www.un.org/Depts/unscom/s98–326.htm.

Iraq

Martin Smyth: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the United Kingdom's contribution to the provision of a civil police service in Iraq.

Bill Rammell: There are currently a total of 10 UK police officers in Iraq; three in Basra and seven in Baghdad. Our focus is on recruiting, training and deploying more Iraqi police officers. We plan to deploy a further 24 UK officers to Basra in the near future and up to a further 75 UK police officers towards a multinational effort to train new Iraqi recruits at a training facility in Jordan. The first nine of these 75 police officers are already in Jordan and another 27 are planning to depart on 23 November.

Iraq

Shaun Woodward: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many Iraqi (a) civilians, (b) police officers and (c) military police he estimates have been killed in terrorist attacks in Iraq since 1 May.

Bill Rammell: There are no reliable statistics available for the number of civilian casualties. I expect to have further information shortly on the Iraqi police killed, and I will write to my hon. Friend.
	Although the first battalion of the Iraqi Army completed training on 4 October, there are no Iraqi military police at present.

Iraq

Peter Pike: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what efforts are being made in Iraq to re-employ the Iraqis who are unemployed; what discussions he has on assisting these people while unemployed; and if he will make a statement.

Bill Rammell: The Coalition and Iraqi ministries have placed very significant emphasis on the need to sustain and stimulate employment in Iraq. The payment in full of public sector wages has returned rewards for work to many crucial employees. A micro-finance programme has been created for small businesses and rules on foreign direct investment and tariff holidays have also been introduced to promote the Iraqi private sector, protecting existing jobs and creating new ones.
	As a result of the publication of the Iraqi Budgets for 2003 and 2004, for the first time in decades the revenue from Iraqi oil sales is being spent on meeting the needs of the Iraqi people. In combination with the many billions of dollars of international reconstruction funding being channelled into Iraq this public expenditure is stimulating demand for labour.
	With the exception of senior Ba'athists, former members of the military who lost their job as a result of disbanding the Iraqi army have been paid a stipend. Many are also undergoing retraining to join the new Iraqi security forces.

Islamabad High Commission

Mohammad Sarwar: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the current status of the high commission in Islamabad; and when he expects it to be fully operational.

Chris Mullin: As a result of the security situation in Pakistan our high commission in Islamabad operated for a substantial period with severely reduced staff. This reduced our visa section's capacity to provide a full service. In recent months service levels have increased significantly. Islamabad has handled over 81,000 entry clearance applications so far this year.
	My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary is committed to restoring a full visa operation in Pakistan as soon as is practical. The high commission in Islamabad announced on 17 November that it would be expanding the service it offers to include visitors who have travelled to the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the United States of America within the last ten years. fiancé(e)s applying to settle in the UK, EU dependants and those applying for family reunion.
	The Foreign Secretary will be writing to all members shortly to set out these changes and the way forward in more detail.

Israel/Palestine

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs for what reasons the UK representative on the UN Security Council abstained in the vote on 14 October on the resolution declaring illegal the Israeli construction of a security wall in the occupied territories of Palestine.

Bill Rammell: We did not consider the resolution put to the Security Council on Israel's construction of a fence or wall in the West Bank reflected accurately the situation on the ground. It did not condemn suicide bombings and therefore did not acknowledge Israel's real security concerns. As my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary said in the House on 14 October 2003, Official Report, column 3–4, we regard the building of the wall on Palestinian land as unlawful, and we have serious concerns about its impact. But we judged that the text before the Security Council would not help implementation of the roadmap, and so we abstained.
	The resolution subsequently put to an Emergency Special Session of the UN General Assembly realistically focused on the fence's negative impact on the peace process and local population. European Union proposals for a more balanced text were accepted in General Assembly negotiations and the UK, with our EU Partners, voted for that resolution.

Israel/Palestine

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Israeli Government concerning the status of Palestinians living between the Green Line and the new security fence in the Occupied Territories.

Bill Rammell: My noble Friend the Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean raised our concerns about the "Closed Zone" between the fence and the Green Line on 22 October with the Israeli Ambassador, and on 29 October with the Israeli Minister for National Infrastructure.
	The implementation of this order will have grave consequences for Palestinians who live between the fence and the 1967 border, and those who farm land in this area. We are in close touch with the US and other allies to ensure that Israel understands the opposition of the wider international community to the route of the fence.

Japan

Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations his Department has made to the Government of Japan about its refusal to subscribe to the Hague Convention on International Child Abduction; and if he will make a statement.

Jack Straw: holding answer 18 November 2003
	The Foreign and Commonwealth Office encourages all countries with whom the UK has comity of law to join the Hague Convention on International Child Abduction (1980). We believe this comity of law exists between Japan and the UK and are committed to working with the Hague Secretariat to provide the Japanese Government with the information it needs to come to a decision on membership.
	We are working with our partners in the EU to put the case for joining the Hague Convention to Japan. In recent exchanges between the EU and Japan on human right and consular issues, the EU has raised Japanese accession to the Hague Convention on International Child Abduction.

Japan

Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it his policy to make representations on behalf of individual citizens of the United Kingdom to the Government of Japan when allegations of child abduction from the United Kingdom to Japan arise; and if he will make a statement.

Jack Straw: holding answer 18 November 2003
	In cases of child abduction to countries that are not states party to the Hague Convention on International Child Abduction 1980. such as Japan, we advise parents to resolve custody and access issues through the domestic courts in the country concerned, or through mediation.
	We would not make representations on behalf of British nationals to the foreign governments concerned as a matter of course, but would consider doing so in exceptional circumstances, for example once the court process has finished, in order properly to enforce the outcome.

Legislative Council of St. Helena

Anthony Steen: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will arrange to meet the members of the Legislative Council of St. Helena when he is on Ascension Island at the beginning of December.

Bill Rammell: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 17 November 2003 (UIN:139102).

Middle East

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Israeli Government on the destruction of (a) wells and (b) other infrastructure in Gaza by the Israeli army.

Bill Rammell: We deplore the destruction of Palestinian infrastructure and we have asked Israel to cease such activity. We have not recently raised the destruction of wells in Gaza. Nonetheless, my noble Friend the Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean called in Israel's ambassador. Mr. Zvi Shtauber. on 22 October to raise our serious concerns about recent Israeli actions in Gaza. Our embassy in Tel Aviv has also raised our concerns with its Israeli interlocutors.

Middle East

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his policy is on the exchange of Israeli and Palestinian/Lebanese prisoners.

Bill Rammell: We are pleased to hear that the Israeli Cabinet has approved a deal on the exchange of Israeli, Palestinian and Lebanese prisoners. We hope that Hizbollah will follow suit, and that this matter is resolved soon.

Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent initiatives have been taken by the United Kingdom to strengthen the provisions of the nuclear non-proliferation treaty; and what actions have been taken by the United Kingdom pursuant to obligations under Article 6 of the NPT.

Denis MacShane: The United Kingdom believes that the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) is the cornerstone of the nuclear non-proliferation regime. We welcome the increased emphasis on the crucial non-proliferation aspects of the NPT that was in evidence at the Second Session of the Preparatory Committee (PrepCom) earlier this year and intend to work with other NPT members to strengthen the effectiveness of measures against nuclear proliferation.
	We continue to stress the utmost importance of compliance with the Treaty. For example, we urge the DPRK to dismantle its nuclear weapons programme and return to compliance with the NPT. We strongly believe in the need for the universalisation of the treaty, and we regularly call on those states that have not yet acceded to do so whenever we have the opportunity.
	The UK also continues to play a full part in the NPT Review process, including most recently in the PrepCom in April and May this year. The UK issued a working paper at the PrepCom on its research into verification of nuclear disarmament and presented the conclusions of this interim study at a seminar during the PrepCom. We anticipate publishing a further paper for the 2004 session of the PrepCom and a consolidated paper at the Review Conference in 2005.

Pakistan

Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if (a) he and (b) officials from his Department will meet Christian groups in the UK to discuss rights for Christians in Pakistan.

Mike O'Brien: Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials have regular contact with a range of UK-based NGOs, including those who campaign for the rights of Christians and other religious minorities in Pakistan. Officials will be meeting representatives of groups interested in the position of Christians in Pakistan within the next month.

Science and Technology Network

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the (a) funding, (b) remit and (c) functions of the science and technology network.

Bill Rammell: Following a review in 2000 the FCO has established a new network of S & T (science and technology) attachés to help capitalise on and enhance the UK science base, to help companies access overseas innovation and technology, to facilitate high-tech trade and attract foreign investment and to use S & T as a vehicle to maximise the UK's impact abroad.
	£3 million of funding was provided through SR2000. A further £750,000 of programme and staffing resource was made available through SR2002. By 2005 there will be a dedicated FCO S & T officer in 34 of our overseas posts in 22 countries. Several other posts have also joined the network and make use of S & T to further bilateral relations. The network reports to a wide customer base and works with a number of UK organisations with an interest in S & T overseas. These include Government Departments, parliamentary and devolved institutions, public sector bodies, universities, research and trade organisations and industry.
	The FCO works in close partnership on international S & T issues, with the Office of Science and Technology (OST), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) (especially its team of International Technology Promoters), UK Trade & Investment, the British Council and the Research Councils (RCUK). The FCO's S & T network adds value to the UK by addressing the following objectives:
	To inform UK science policy development, benchmarking UK S & T performance against other nations and using S & T to secure UK influence in international negotiations.
	To promote the UK as the international partner of choice in S & T collaboration, and attract overseas expertise, in areas which match or complement existing or potential UK strengths.
	To enhance wealth creation by using S & T to facilitate trade and inward investment, with development of the UK knowledge economy through commercially edged high technology collaboration.
	To use S & T for public diplomacy to project the UK as a creative, dynamic, technologically advanced nation.
	The network is co-ordinated by the S & T unit within the Global Issues Directorate of the FCO. The work of the network and profiles of the new generation of S & T officers are presented in the FCO's S & T annual report, available on the FCO website: www.fco.gov.uk/policy/global-issues/science-and-technology.
	The new network provides informed insight into S & T activity in the host country and an assessment of opportunities and risks for the UK. Through developing networks of opinion formers and key contacts the attachés are well placed to stimulate bilateral interactions. The integrated approach of the S & T attachés with their commercial and public diplomacy colleagues means projection of the UK as a world leading science base and development of a technologically innovative, knowledge based, economy.

Secondment

Brian Iddon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many people from science and technology backgrounds have been seconded into the Civil Service in his Department in each of the last five years for which data are available.

Bill Rammell: In line with the 2001 Government Cross Cutting Review of Science and Research and the 2000 Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) review of science and technology (S&T) work, the FCO has increased the use of S&T expertise in its work. The FCO has established a new S&T network and recruited a new and diverse generation of high calibre S&T officers, both UK appointed and locally engaged. As well as scientific and technical expertise, many have experience in business, management consultancy and policymaking, as well as skills in diplomacy and international relations. For UK appointees, in each of the last five years the following numbers of people with a science and technology background have been recruited into the S&T network either on Fixed Term contract, loan from Other Government Departments or on secondment from outside the Civil Service:
	
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 1999 2 
			 2000 2 
			 2001 7 
			 2002 2 
			 2003 3

Sri Lanka

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment his Department has made of the conflict between the government of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam; when this assessment was made; and if he will make a statement.

Mike O'Brien: 1 refer the hon. Member to the answer 1 gave him on 15 October 2003, Official Report, column 266–67W.

Turkey

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment his Department has made of developments in the human rights situation in Turkey; what representations have been made to him; and if he will make a statement.

Denis MacShane: We welcome Turkey's progress in the protection of human rights and the constitutional and legislative changes that it has made since October 2001. The recent 6th and 7th EU-related reform packages were particularly far reaching. Consistent and effective implementation of these is now crucial, so we are encouraged by the Turkish Government's increasing emphasis on the practical application of new laws, and its creation of a committee, under Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul, to monitor progress.
	The Foreign and Commonwealth Office monitor the human rights situation in Turkey closely. We maintain a strong network of contacts in both our missions in Ankara and Istanbul, and in London. We regularly meet local and multinational NGOs, European and International bodies which monitor Turkey's human rights performance and members of the government. We also attend human rights trials wherever possible and liaise with EU partners to maintain an EU presence at key events throughout the country. We conduct an on-going bilateral dialogue with Turkey on human rights, the most recent round of which took place in Ankara on 23 October.
	For a full assessment of the human rights situation in Turkey 1 refer the hon. Member to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Annual Human Rights Report 2003, which is available on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website: www.fco.gov.uk/policy/global-issues/humanrights/reports.

United States

Derek Wyatt: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the New York Consul General relocated from the residence at 4 East 66th Street; what use has been made of the apartment since; when and at what price the apartment was first listed for sale; what the actual (a) out of pocket costs and (b) annual resource costs of owning the apartment have been since the Consul General left; whether the apartment is still for sale; and at what price it is listed.

Bill Rammell: holding answer 11 November 2003
	The Consul General in New York relocated from the residence at 4 East 66th Street in August 2002. Since then the property has remained vacant. The property was first listed for sale in January 2002 at an initial asking price of US$22 million. It remains on the market, listed at US$14 million. We cannot divulge details of prices and costs as these are commercially sensitive.

United States

Derek Wyatt: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the New York Consul General moved into the new residence; what the total capital cost of this residence, including all fixtures, fittings and furnishings, professional and other fees, moving and relocation costs was; and what the residence's (a) open market and (b) existing use (i) value and (ii) annual resource cost are.

Bill Rammell: holding answer 11 November 2003
	The Consul General in New York moved into the new residence in August 2002. We cannot divulge further details of costs because these are commercially sensitive.

United States

Derek Wyatt: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when and at what price the former residence of the San Francisco Consul General was sold; what net proceeds the Department expects will be from this sale after deduction of all costs of the transaction; when the San Francisco Consul General moved into the new residence; what the total capital cost of this residence including post-acquisition costs are expected to be; and what the residence's (a) open market and (b) existing use (i) value and (ii) annual resource cost are.

Bill Rammell: holding answer 11 November 2003
	The sale of the Consul General's former residence in San Francisco was completed on 31 October 2003. The Consul General moved into the new residence in the middle of October 2003.
	We cannot divulge further details of prices and costs because these are commercially sensitive.

Website

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the content and design of his Department's website.

Chris Mullin: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) website (www.fco.gov.uk) is kept under constant review. The site was significantly re-designed and re-structured when it was re-launched in May 2002. A leading web design agency developed the new site, after consulting widely with FCO stakeholders. Usability testing on the new site was conducted in August 2002 by a specialist company using members of the public. The recommendations of their report were implemented and the findings informed a further re-design of the homepage which went live in January 2003. In July, a specialist IT consultancy, assessed the website as part of an overall review of FCO electronic information. Their recommendations are in the process of being implemented. Customer feedback is constantly monitored and assessed.

Zimbabwe

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action the UK will take to support Zimbabwean refugees in South Africa forced to return to Zimbabwe.

Chris Mullin: The issue of Zimbabwean refugees in South Africa is a matter for the South African authorities and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

Zimbabwe

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent action the Government has taken to ensure that Zimbabwe has (a) legitimate and (b) democratic government.

Chris Mullin: We continue to work with our EU, Commonwealth and other international partners to bring about a return to legitimate and democratic government in Zimbabwe, which respects the rule of law and human rights.
	We have consistently condemned the Mugabe government's harassment of the opposition, independent media and civil society. We will continue to support all those working peacefully for a return to a democratically elected government.

CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS

Appointments Commission

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs if the Secretary of State will direct the House of Lords Appointments Commission to disqualify applicants for a people's peerage who are (a) knights, (b) dames and (c) other holders of a peerage.

Christopher Leslie: The Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs has no power to direct the current House of Lords Appointments Commission which is an independent non-departmental public body sponsored by the Cabinet Office.
	Any British, Irish or Commonwealth citizen over the age of 21 is eligible to be nominated for membership of the House of Lords, and the Appointments Commission assesses all nominations it receives against the criteria which are published on its web-site at www.houseoflords appointmentscommission.gov.uk

Asylum Seekers

Andy King: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what estimate he has made of the number of unqualified legal advisers who represented asylum seekers in the last year for which figures are available.

Beverley Hughes: I have been asked to reply.
	I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Bankruptcy

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many (a) company winding-up petitions, (b) creditors' petitions and (c) debtors' petitions were issued in each quarter since the third quarter of 2002.

Christopher Leslie: Figures showing the number of insolvency and bankruptcy petitions issued in the county courts of England and Wales for the period set out above are provided in the following table.
	
		
			 Quarter Company winding-up petitions issued Creditors bankruptcy petitions issued Debtors bankruptcy petitions issued 
		
		
			 Q4 2002 3,257 4,601 4,174 
			 Ql 2003 2,650 4,366 4,357 
			 Q2 2003 2,577 4,271 4,776 
			 Q3 2003 2,385 4,243 4,755

Fines

Mark Oaten: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what the total value was of fines imposed at magistrates courts in London in 2002–03; what the default rate was; and what the value of arrears is.

Christopher Leslie: The amount imposed by Greater London Magistrates Courts Association (GLMCA) for the financial year 2002–03 was £64,793,641. The payment rate for the same period was 40 per cent. The value of arrears was £72,288,339. DCA officials from the Targeted Intervention Project are now working with GLMCA to drive up performance on fine enforcement

House of Lords Reform

Mark Oaten: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many staff are employed on the House of Lords reform programme; and at what cost in the last year for which figures are available.

Christopher Leslie: Since August 2003, five officials have been working on the House of Lords reform programme. It is estimated that the final cost for this year will be around £227,000.
	The cost of the unit for the last full financial year was £181,000 (although at that time fewer officials were working on House of Lords reform and they were also engaged on other duties within the Department).

Judicial Appointments

Mark Oaten: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many (a) high court judges, (b) circuit judges, (c) district judges, (d) recorders and (e) assistant recorders there were in the last month for which figures are available; and how many were (i) black and (ii) Asian.

Christopher Leslie: Figures for October 2003 show that there were (a) 108 high court judges of whom (i) none were black and (ii) none were Asian; (b) 609 circuit judges of whom (i) 1 was black and (ii) 3 were Asian; (c) in total there were 535 district judges broken down as follows: 429 district judges (civil) of whom (i) 1 was black and (ii) 8 were Asian; 106 district judges (magistrates' courts) of whom (i) none were black and (ii) 2 were Asian; in addition there were a total of 987 deputy district judges broken down as follows: 761 deputy district judges (civil) of whom (i) 4 were black and (ii) 7 were Asian; 176 deputy district judges (magistrates' courts) of whom (i) 4 were black and (ii) 5 were Asian, (d) 1367 recorders of whom (i) 19 were black and (ii) 18 were Asian; (e) the post of assistant recorder was abolished on 12 April 2000.

Judicial Appointments

Mark Oaten: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many (a) high court judges, (b) circuit judges, (c) district judges, (d) recorders and (e) assistant recorders were appointed in 2002; and how many were (i) black and (ii) Asian.

Christopher Leslie: The 2001–2002 Judicial Appointments Annual Report gives the following figures for appointments made between 1 April 2001 and 31 March 2002: (a) 9 high court judges were appointed, of these (i) none were black and (ii) none were Asian; (b) 20 circuit judges were appointed, of these (i) none were black and (ii) none were Asian; (c) in total 12 district judges were appointed, broken down as follows: 4 district judges (civil) of whom (i) none were black and (ii) 1 was Asian; 8 district judges (magistrates' courts) of whom (i) none were black and (ii) none were Asian. In addition a total of 40 deputy district judges (civil) were appointed of whom (i) none were black and (ii) none were Asian; no deputy district judges (magistrates' courts) were appointed during this period; (d) 98 recorders were appointed, of whom (i) none were black and (ii) 1 was Asian; (e) the post of assistant recorder was abolished on 12 April 2000 and subsequent appointments were made direct to the office of recorder.
	The 2002–2003 Judicial Appointments Annual Report gives the following figures for appointments made between 1 April 2002 and 31 March 2003: (a) 6 high court judges were appointed, of these (i) none were black and (ii) none were Asian; (b) during this period no new general circuit judge competitions were held; (c) in total 15 district judges (civil) were approved for appointment, of whom (i) none were black and (ii) none were Asian; there was no new general competition for appointment as district judges (magistrates' courts), in addition a total of 69 deputy district judges were appointed broken down as follows: 42 deputy district judges (civil) of whom (i) 1 was black and (ii) 2 were Asian; 27 deputy district judges (magistrates' courts) of which (i) 1 was black and (ii) 2 were Asian, (d) 93 recorders were appointed of whom (i) 2 were black and (ii) 2 were Asian; (e) the post of assistant recorder was abolished on 12 April 2000 and subsequent appointments were made direct to the office of recorder.
	Copies of both reports are available in the Libraries of both Houses.

Judicial Appointments

Mark Oaten: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many magistrates in England and Wales were in post in the last month for which figures are available; and how many were (i) black and (ii) Asian.

Christopher Leslie: There were 28,344 active magistrates in England and Wales on 1 April 2003. Of that number, 609 classified themselves as of Black origin and 845 Asian.

Judicial Appointments

Mark Oaten: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many magistrates were appointed in England and Wales in 2002; and how many were (i) black and (ii) Asian.

Christopher Leslie: 1,474 new magistrates were appointed in England and Wales in 2002. Of these 40 classified themselves as of Black origin and 66 Asian.

Judicial Appointments

Mark Oaten: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many (a) justices' clerks, (b) deputy clerks, (c) ushers and (d) administrative clerical and secretarial staff were in post in magistrates' courts in England and Wales in the last month for which figures are available; and how many were (i) black and (ii) Asian.

Christopher Leslie: The following table, using the current job titles, provides the information requested. The figures provided are drawn from the latest survey, which was conducted for magistrates' courts staff in post in England and Wales as at 31 March 2003.
	
		Magistrates' courts staff in post -- Figures as at 31 March 2003
		
			 Post (34)Total Black Asian Other Mixed Not known 
		
		
			 Justices clerks 97 — — — 1 — 
			 Senior legal manager 374 9 8 3 4 11 
			 Senior admin manager 168 1 1 1 1 5 
			 Court clerk 1,408 28 51 14 10 34 
			 Principal administrative division 934 34 13 3 8 27 
			 Administrative grades 6,342 198 190 45 40 212 
			 Clerical 1,347 15 19 1 4 29 
			 Total 10,669 285 281 67 68 318 
		
	
	(34) These are full time equivalent figures

Justices of the Peace

Bob Russell: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what action the Lord Chancellor will take in respect of declarations by justices of the peace of their intention not to uphold the law; and if he will make a statement.

Christopher Leslie: On appointment, magistrates take the judicial oath and sign a written undertaking to administer justice according to the law and to resign from the Commission of the Peace if they are unable to perform their duties. If it appears to the Lord Chancellor, having considered advice from the local Advisory Committee, that a magistrate has failed to carry out his or her duties, he has powers under Section 5 of the Justices of the Peace Act 1997 to counsel, caution, admonish, suspend or remove that person from office.

Witness Suites

Graham Allen: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs if he will take steps to move the witness suite at Nottingham Crown Court from proximity to the main entrance used by defendants.

Christopher Leslie: Using funds made available from the Government's Street Crime Initiative, the Witness Suite on the Ground Floor was created in the summer of last year. The location of the suite was determined after consultation with the Witness Support Service and local Court Managers.
	The new Witness Suite has been well received by the Witness Support Service. The facilities are a significant improvement on those previously provided. There are no current plans to change further the provisions for witnesses at the Crown Court in Nottingham.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Bechtel

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  if he will list the contracts for consultancy and other work carried out by Bechtel for agencies responsible to his Department and its predecessor in each year since 1997, stating in each case (a) the nature of the work, (b) the value of the contract and (c) the duration of the contract; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  if he will list the contracts for consultancy and other work carried out by Bechtel in each year after 1997 by the Department of Social Security, stating in each case (a) the nature of the work, (b) the value of the contract and (c) the duration of the contract; and if he will make a statement.

Maria Eagle: Neither the Department for Work and Pensions (formed in June 2001) nor its predecessors has had any contracts with Bechtel in each year since 1997.

Benefits

Mark Lazarowicz: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps he will take to help (a) housebound and (b) disabled people access new systems for receiving benefits and tax credits.

Chris Pond: The Department is committed to ensure that all people have access to their benefits and pensions; indeed, many housebound and disabled customers have been paid by Direct Payment for some time.
	All customers, including housebound and disabled people, are being provided with information on all of the account options suitable for Direct Payment. It is for customers themselves to decide which type of account they wish to have their money paid into. Once customers contact the Department they are able to talk to an advisor who can help them understand the options open to them.
	Third party access will continue to be available under Direct Payment for those customers who may need someone to collect their benefit or pension for them.
	However, we have always recognised that there will be a small group of people who we cannot pay directly into an account. We are developing an exceptions method of payment to pay this group.

Correspondence

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he intends to reply to the letter to him dated 4 June from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Mrs. Howarth (Fallows).

David Blunkett: I have been asked to reply.
	A response was sent to my right hon. Friend on 16 July 2003.

Disability Discrimination

Peter Pike: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what (a) representations and (b) discussions he has had in the last 12 months on the viability of extending the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 to protect people who have progressive illnesses with particular reference to cancer, multiple sclerosis and HIV/AIDS; and if he will make a statement.

Maria Eagle: In their legislative review published in April 2003 The Disability Rights Commission (DRC) reiterated our proposals in "Towards Inclusion" to extend the definition of disability to cover more people with HIV and cancer and recommended a further change that would benefit more people with multiple sclerosis. Since then officials have been involved in a number of discussions with the DRC about the proposals.
	Officials have received a range of other representations regarding the definition of disability from disabled people, civil rights groups and organisations that represent disabled people, urging change and supportive of the proposals in "Towards Inclusion". The majority of these have come from people concerned about HIV infection. This included a letter campaign earlier this year supporting the case for extending the DDA to cover HIV from point of diagnosis.

Disabled People

Linda Perham: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what measures have been taken by the Government since 1997 to advance civil rights legislation for disabled people.

Maria Eagle: Since 1997, we have introduced a wide range of significant measures to improve and broaden civil rights for disabled people, including:
	
		
			  Measures 
		
		
			 December 1997 Set up the Disability Rights Task Force to consider how best to secure our 1997 Manifesto commitment to look at comprehensive and enforceable civil rights for disabled people 
			 December 1998 Employment provisions of Disability Discrimination Act extended to employers with 15 or more employees (previously 20 or more) 
			 January 1999 All new rail vehicles to comply with Rail Vehicle Accessibility Regulations 
			 July 1999 Assent. Disability Rights Commission Act 1999 gains Royal Commission opens in April 2000 
			 October 1999 Further DDA rights of access to goods and services came into force, meaning service providers have to alter a policy, practice or procedure which prevents a disabled person accessing a service, or to provide an auxiliary aid or service, or provide a service by a reasonably alternative means 
			 October 2000 Government agrees the EU Article 13 Employment Directive to combat discrimination in employment and vocational training on grounds of disability, age, religion/belief, sexual orientation 
			 December 2000 All new full size single deck buses over 7.5 tonnes and double deck buses to be fully accessible to disabled people, including wheelchair users; new buses up to 7.5 tonnes and coaches to have improved access for ambulant and sensory impaired passengers 
			 May 2001 Special Educational Needs and Disability Act 2001 (SENDA) gains Royal Assent. The Act brings within scope of the DDA's discrimination provisions disabled pupils and students 
			 September 2002 First duties of SENDA come into force in September 2002 
			 March 2003 Regulations introduced to require taxi drivers to accept assistance dogs and to carry them free of charge 
			 April 2003 The Disability Discrimination (Blind and Partially Sighted Persons) Regulations 2003 came into force. People who are certified as blind or partially sighted, or registered as blind or partially sighted by a local authority, automatically deemed disabled for DDA purposes 
			 July 2003 DDA 1995 (Amendment) Regulations 2003 approved by Parliament. These include significant measures that will bring over 1 million additional employers, and a further 7 million jobs, within the scope of the DDA. Measures come into effect in October 2004. They implement disability provisions of the Article 13 Employment Directive 
			 November 2003 Began public consultation on setting an end date for rail vehicle accessibility and for refurbishment of rail vehicles 
			 November 2003 Laid Regulations to give effect to the Article 13 Directive's requirements as they affect occupational pension schemes for disabled employees. Measures come into effect in October 2004 
		
	
	Since 1997, we have also announced the following future measures to improve and broaden civil rights for disabled people.
	
		
			  Measures 
		
		
			 October 2004 Final rights of access to goods and services in DDA come into effect, which mean that service providers have to, where reasonable, remove, alter or avoid physical features which act as barriers to disabled people accessing their services 
			 September 2005 SENDA duty to remove or alter physical features in post-16 education sector comes into force 
			 January 2005 New buses up to 7.5 tonnes and coaches will have improved access for wheelchair users 
			 January 2015 All buses up to 7.5 tonnes will be fully accessible 
			 January 2016 All full size single deck buses over 7.5 tonnes will be fully accessible 
			 January 2017 All double deck buses will be fully accessible 
			 January 2020 All coaches will be fully accessible 
		
	
	In addition, we will publish later this year a draft Disability Bill which will include measures to further extend disabled people's civil rights in respect of the public sector, transport, premises, private clubs, and the definition of disability.

Housing Benefit

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  what assessment he has made of the effects of the Local Housing Allowance Pathfinder scheme in Blackpool;
	(2)  if he will make a statement on the Housing Benefit Pathfinder schemes;
	(3)  what estimate he has made of the number of housing benefit recipients who will be affected by the introduction of the Local Housing Allowance Pathfinder scheme in Blackpool;
	(4)  what guidance his Department has given to local authorities on consultation with local landlords during the operation of the Housing Benefit Pathfinder schemes.

Chris Pond: The Local Housing Allowance (LHA) was launched in Blackpool on 17 November. Blackpool is the first of nine local authority Pathfinders that will operate the Local Housing Allowance over the next two years; the remaining eight authorities will go live between December and February.
	For de-regulated private rented sector tenants in Pathfinder areas, benefit will no longer depend on individual rents but will be based on a standard amount for the area and size of household. This will allow tenants to trade between the quality and price of their accommodation.
	The LHA will also provide a more transparent, efficient and fairer system. Most tenants will take responsibility for receiving their benefit and paying an appropriate amount of it as rent to their landlord. No claimant will be worse off when the LHA is introduced, and we estimate that in Blackpool around one in three Housing Benefit claimants in the de-regulated private rented sector will benefit financially.
	Pathfinder authorities have been encouraged to work closely with landlords and they have all held meetings with local landlords to explain how the LHA will work and the safeguards that have been put in place; however, we have not issued any specific guidance on consultation.
	There will be a comprehensive evaluation of LHA Pathfinders, which will include interviews with claimants, landlords, local authority staff and stakeholder organisations, as well as an analysis of administrative data. This is already under way.

Local Reference Rents

Archy Kirkwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what instructions he has issued to the Chief Rent Officer in London on the localities used in the determination of housing benefit local reference rents since the Rent Officers (Housing Benefit Functions) (Amendment) Order 2001.

Yvette Cooper: I have been asked to reply.
	The post of "Chief Rent Officer" no longer exists, and both localities and local reference rents are a matter for the Rent Service, which is an Executive Agency of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. No instructions have been issued to the Rent Service on localities used in the determination of local reference rents since the laying of the 2001 Order.

Local Reference Rents

Archy Kirkwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many localities were being used in the determination of housing benefit local reference rents in London in November (a) 2001, (b) 2002 and (c) 2003.

Yvette Cooper: I have been asked to reply.
	There is no record of the numbers of localities used in the determination of local reference rents in these years. Localities are decided by the Rent Officer using definitions in the Rent Officers (Housing Benefit Functions) Order. Localities are influenced by residential property markets, which are fluid. Therefore, any statistical publication will only ever be able to provide a 'snap shot' at any given time.
	The Rent Service intends to begin publishing information about local reference rents for England in the late spring of 2004.

Local Reference Rents

Archy Kirkwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what recent reports he has received on housing benefit shortfalls experienced by claimants arising from local reference rent restrictions in London.

Chris Pond: The principle of rent restrictions in Housing Benefit is now well established. It ensures that claimants are able to afford reasonably priced rental accommodation in the locality that they choose to live in, whilst ensuring that the cost to the taxpayer is kept at a reasonable level.
	We have not received recently any formal reports on this matter.

Local Reference Rents

Archy Kirkwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many localities are currently being used by the Rent Service in England to determine local reference rents.

Yvette Cooper: I have been asked to reply.
	There is no on-going record of the numbers of local reference rent localities in England. Localities are influenced by residential properties markets that are fluid. Any statistical publication will only ever be able to give a 'snap shot' at any given time.
	However, the Rent Service intends to publish information about local reference rents for England in the late spring of 2004.

Local Reference Rents

Archy Kirkwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to his answer of 15 May 2003, Official Report, column 373W, to the hon. Member for Waveney (Mr. Blizzard), when the Rent Service will begin to publish information about local reference rents for different parts of the country.

Yvette Cooper: I have been asked to reply.
	The Rent Service intends to publish information about local reference rents for England in the late spring of 2004.

Occupational Pension Schemes

Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimates his Department has made of (a) the number of occupational pension schemes which have failed to meet their full obligations to employees since May 1997 and (b) the number of employees and pensioners who have been affected.

Malcolm Wicks: The information requested is not available.

Pension Credit

Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on uptake of the pension credit in Wirral South.

Malcolm Wicks: As at 17 October, 2003 the number of people receiving Pension Credit in the Wirral, South constituency was 2,110. 1.97 million households in Great Britain (around 2.3 million individuals) are already receiving Pension Credit with 1.2 million households, (around 1.4 million individuals) receiving more money than they did before. The average award is £47.10 per week.
	Source:
	IAD Information Centre, 100 per cent sample
	Notes:
	1. Figures have been rounded to the nearest five.
	2. Figures are based on 100 per cent Generalised Matching Service (CMS) data.
	3. Parliamentary constituencies are assigned by matching postcodes against the relevant ONS postcode directory.

Pension Funds

Harold Best: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps he is taking to protect the assets in the pension funds of former nationalised industries.

Malcolm Wicks: I refer the hon. member to the written answer I gave him on 17 November 2003, Official Report, Vol. 413, column 48W.

Pensions

Peter Pike: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what (a) representations and (b) discussions he has had in the last 12 months on encouraging (i) employers and (ii) employees to contribute to stakeholder pensions; and if he will make a statement.

Malcolm Wicks: Ministers have received correspondence from, or had meetings with, a variety of interests including hon. Members, employer, employee and pension industry representatives about encouraging employers and employees to contribute to stakeholder pensions.
	The Employer Task Force, set up as a result of the Government's Green Paper on Pensions has recently discussed this important issue. The Task Force will be considering it further as part of its ongoing work to increase and extend occupational and private pension provision.

Pensions

Peter Pike: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what (a) representations and (b) discussions he has had in the last 12 months on the take-up of occupational pensions by part-time workers; and if he will make a statement.

Malcolm Wicks: The issue of lower occupational pension coverage by part-time compared to full-time workers was brought up for discussion during the Green Paper Consultation events by various different employers, women's lobby groups and other organisations with an interest in the Women and Pensions Agenda.
	The Government is seeking to address this inequality through the Informed Choice Programme. One example is the employer-based pilots we propose to introduce in spring next year. These pilots are aimed at those employers who do not contribute at least 3 per cent to a private pension for their employees and will require the employer to offer information or advice within the workplace to help employees make their own private pension arrangements.
	Making sure that all employees, including part-time workers, fully appreciate the value of employer contributions if these are offered, will also be an integral part of the Informed Choice programme.

Pensions

Martin Caton: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  what assessment he has made of the effect on low income households of delaying commencement of paying state retirement pension until the beginning of the week following the birthday that brings entitlement to that pension;
	(2)  to commence entitlement to state pension from the actual date of the (a) 65th birthday for men and (b) 60th birthday, for women.

Malcolm Wicks: There are no plans to change the date from which entitlement to State Pension commences.
	The rule that entitlement begins on the payday on or following the day on which a man reaches his 65th birthday, or a woman her 60th birthday, derives from the fact that State Pension is paid in advance. In practice any effect upon low income households is beneficial as the following chart shows. In the case of bereavement benefits, which are also paid in advance, there is no change upon reaching pension age, since the same payday is maintained.
	
		
			 Date Payment in Advance Payment in Arrears 
		
		
			 Thursday 4 December 2003 Man becomes 65 years/woman becomes 60 years. 
			 Monday 8 December 2003 Entitled to standard rate State Pension. Receives £77.45 full week's payment for the coming week Would receive £44.28 (4/7ths of £77.45) for the period 4.12.03 to 7.12.03 
		
	
	Notes:
	In respect of the period up to Wednesday 3 December 2003 the individual from a low income household would typically receive one or more of the following, paid around this time:
	final earnings, monthly or weekly in arrears, with holiday pay, week in hand etc.
	incapacity benefit/jobseeker's allowance—paid fortnightly in arrears
	income support—paid weekly or at another period, in arrears

Performance Monitoring

Howard Flight: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the total cost was of (a) setting, (b) monitoring and (c) measuring the performance targets for his Department in 2002–03; and how many and what grades of civil servants monitor these targets.

Maria Eagle: Performance targets for the department were agreed as part of Spending Review 2002. The monitoring and measurement of PSA targets forms part of departmental performance management. Performance management is an integral part of the day to day running of the department, and as such it is not possible to separate the specific costs out. The monitoring of progress towards, and performance against, the department's PSA targets is undertaken by a wide variety of staff at all levels of the organisation.

Performance Monitoring

Howard Flight: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will list the performance targets that (a) his Department and (b) its agencies and non-departmental public bodies are required to meet; and if he will specify for each target (i) who sets it and (ii) who monitors achievement against it.

Maria Eagle: Key performance targets for the Department for Work and Pensions are agreed as part of the Spending Review and the latest set were published in Spending Review 2002: Public Service Agreements 2003–2006 (Cm 5571). The department monitors progress towards the targets along with HM Treasury and progress is reported regularly.
	The department has four agencies
	Jobcentre Plus
	The Pension Service
	The Child Support Agency
	The Appeals Service.
	The department also sponsors twelve non-departmental public bodies
	Executive bodies:
	Health and Safety Commission
	Health and Safety Executive
	Disability Rights Commission
	Occupational Pensions Regulatory Authority
	Pensions Compensation Board
	Remploy Ltd
	Tribunal body
	Office of the Pensions Ombudsman
	Advisory bodies
	Disability Living Allowance Advisory Board
	Industrial Injuries Advisory Council
	Social Security Advisory Committee
	National Employment Panel
	Disability Employment Advisory Committee.
	Agency performance targets are set by the Secretary of State and are set out in the Business Plans of our Agencies and, where appropriate, in the Business Plans and Annual Performance Agreements of the Non Departmental Public Bodies. They are available in the Library.
	Achievement against the targets is monitored as part of the department's performance management, which is an integral part of the day to day running of the department. Monitoring of progress towards, and performance against, the targets is undertaken by a wide variety of staff at all levels of the organisation, and includes meetings between Ministers and Chief Executives or equivalent.

Post Office Card Accounts

Alan Reid: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many pensioners receive their state pension by means of (a) direct payment into a bank or building society account, (b) direct payment into a Post Office card account and (c) a pension book.

Chris Pond: The information has been complied form data available on 6 September 2003.
	The number of live accounts in payment of State Pension (RP) at 6 September 2003 paid by:
	
		
			  
		
		
			 (a) Direct Payment into a Bank or Building Society Account: 4,860,832 
			 (b) Direct Payment into a Post Office card account: 10,476 
			 (c) a pension Book: 4,327,440 
			 (d) Other (Payable Order, GIRO): 49,630 
		
	
	The above table does not include Retirement Pension paid with another benefit, for which an analysis of the method of payment is not available.
	The numbers being paid by direct payment are expected to grow rapidly in the coming months as 20 week order books begin to expire and customers begin to receive payment into their chosen bank, building society and post office card accounts.

Public Employees (Essex)

Mark Francois: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many full-time workers were employed by the Pensions Agency in Essex on 1 September.

Maria Eagle: At 1 September, 224 full time staff (permanent and temporary staff) were employed by The Pension Service in Essex.

Social Exclusion

Paul Holmes: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what research his Department has conducted into the effect of benefit sanctions on claimants with reference to social exclusion; and if he will make a statement.

Chris Pond: No research has been conducted by the Department into the effect of benefit sanctions on claimants with specific reference to social exclusion. Research on the effect of sanctions, though not specifically related to social exclusion, was carried out and published in 2001 under the title "The Impact of the 26 Sanctioning Regime" (Report number ESR100). A copy of this is available in the Library. Basic quarterly statistical reports on sanctions are available in the Library.

Work-related Stress

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many cases of work-related stress have been reported in his Department in each of the last three years; how much compensation has been paid to employees; how many work days have been lost due to work-related stress, and at what cost; what procedures have been put in place to reduce work-related stress, and at what cost; and if he will make a statement.

Maria Eagle: Information is available only for 2002–03. In addition, where individuals indicate on their medical certificate that 'stress' is the reason for sickness absence, generally this will not differentiate between workplace stress and stress that might have been caused by other factors, for example domestic issues.
	For 2002–03, there were 7,576 reported cases of stress. (This will include individuals who might have had several periods of stress-related sickness absence.) That led to 162,814 working days being lost at a cost of around £8.5 million. We do not collect information on the amount of compensation (if appropriate) that might have been paid to individuals. This could only be provided at a disproportionate cost.
	The DWP takes seriously its obligation to provide a supportive working environment for its staff. One way in which this is discharged is through our Employee Assistance provider, a confidential service which staff can call on 24 hours a day where the need arises. In addition, we will do all we reasonably can to address any workplace issues that might contribute to a person's stress levels. The Department is a key stakeholder in the Government's 'Revitalising Health and Safety' initiative and has signed up to the principle of the 'Government Setting an Example' agenda. The DWP is also participating in the HSE Management Standards pilot in five areas. The pilot is designed to combat workplace stress. If successful, we will look to introduce the Management Standards across the organisation.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

Permitted Development Rights

Patsy Calton: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on progress with the review of permitted development rights.

Keith Hill: As part of the planning reform agenda the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister undertook to review the permitted development rights granted by the Town and Country Planning (Permitted Development Rights) Order 1995. As a first step, a research report commissioned from Nathaniel Lichfield & Partners Ltd was published on 10 September.
	No decisions have been made about any changes to permitted development rights. Full public consultation will take place before any changes are made.

Allotments

Ben Chapman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what steps his Department is taking to promote the wider (a) use and (b) provision of allotments.

Yvette Cooper: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister supports the development of green spaces, including allotments, parks, city farms and playgrounds. We have introduced higher restrictions on the disposal of allotments and distributed guidance on allotment management.

Coalfield Regeneration Trust

Jeff Ennis: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the impact of the Coalfield Regeneration Trust on the former coalfield areas.

Phil Hope: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, has been pleased with the positive response of the coalfield communities to the work carried out by Coalfields Regeneration Trust since its launch in 1999. I am aware that the Trust is currently undertaking an independent evaluation of its work and I look forward to seeing the results of this shortly.

Local Government Finance (Cheshire)

Nicholas Winterton: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what recent representations he has received about the impact on local councils in Cheshire of the formula funding arrangements.

Nick Raynsford: Since the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister published proposals for formula grant in 2003–04, we have received 75 representations from the public, local MPs, councillors and local authorities, mostly about the impact on the education formula.

Planning Policy/Pollution

Annette Brooke: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what recent representations he has received about local planning policies and light pollution.

Keith Hill: In the last few months the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has received approximately one letter per week from hon. Members and members of the public on the subject of light pollution and nuisance lighting. None has specifically addressed local planning policies and light pollution. The Campaign to Protect Rural England has also submitted its Night Blight report.

Prefabricated Housing

Doug Naysmith: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what his policy is under his Department's Decent Homes guidance with regard to local authority decisions on whether to keep prefabricated housing.

Keith Hill: There are no types of building that are automatically considered to fail the decent homes standard just because of their construction. Prefabricated homes are as acceptable as other types of dwelling if they meet the requirements set out in the decent homes standard.
	The guidance on implementing the standard makes it clear that investment decisions should be made in the context of the local housing market and on the future demand for the stock.

Neighbourhood Wardens

Rob Marris: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what steps he is taking to ensure that achievements of Neighbourhood Warden schemes are recognised by means of awards.

Yvette Cooper: An award scheme is already in operation. I presented the 2003 achievement awards at the wardens' annual conference held in Harrogate, last Friday, which included an award for Community Safety for Wolverhampton. Details of the award winners are available in the Library of the House.

Arm's Length Management

Ken Purchase: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister pursuant to his answer of 3 November 2003, Official Report, column 496W, on arm's length management, what percentage of the additional £2 billion announced in the Sustainable Communities Plan will be invested directly in local authority arm's length management organisation managed housing stock.

Keith Hill: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister expects at least 95 per cent. of the £2 billion funding for arms length management organisations (ALMOs) announced in the Sustainable Communities Plan in February for the years 2003–04 to 2005–06 to be invested directly in bringing local authority housing stock up to the Decent Homes standard. ALMOs may devote up to 5 per cent. of their allocations to environmental or other works designed to enhance the sustainability of their investment in Decent Homes.

Asbestos

Vincent Cable: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much has been spent by his Department and its agencies on (a) asbestos surveys and (b) the management and removal of asbestos since 1 January 2001; and what budget is available to (i) commission asbestos surveys and (ii) manage and remove asbestos from buildings in (A) 2003 and (B) 2004.

Yvette Cooper: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister came into existence in May 2002. The spend to date within those properties now under control of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is as follows:
	a. Asbestos surveys : £53,916.88
	b. Management and Removal of Asbestos : £149,496.72
	The budget available:
	(i) For commissioning asbestos surveys in 2003 is included in the figure at (a) above. Budgets for asbestos surveys in 2004 are being developed.
	(ii) For management and removal of asbestos in 2003 is £130,000 and in 2004 is £800,000.

Asbestos

Vincent Cable: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister pursuant to his answer of 15 July 2003, Official Report, column 287W, on asbestos, if he will list the buildings identified as containing asbestos.

Yvette Cooper: Asbestos surveys undertaken in accordance with the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002 have revealed that the following Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's buildings contain asbestos-based materials:
	Fire Service College—Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire;
	Government Office for London—Riverwalk House, Westminster;
	HQ Building—Ashdown House—Victoria Street, Westminster; and
	Government Office for the North East—Wellbar House, Newcastle.

Borrowing Guidelines

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister 
	(1)  if he will make a statement on the new prudential borrowing guidelines for local government;
	(2)  what the estimated cost of repayments would be per million pounds borrowed and invested in capital schemes within the framework of the new prudential borrowing scheme.

Nick Raynsford: The new capital finance system will start on 1 April 2004. The legislative framework is in the Local Government Act 2003. This is supplemented by a code of practice on prudential borrowing, published by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy, to which authorities are required by the Act to have regard.
	It is not possible to estimate future borrowing costs, which will reflect prevailing interest rates and the terms of loan agreements. However, authorities can currently obtain loans repayable after thirty years at a fixed annual interest rate of about 5 per cent.

Council Reserves

Paul Marsden: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the financial value was of the reserves for (a) Shropshire County Council and (b) Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council in each year since 1997.

Nick Raynsford: The reserves of Shropshire County Council and Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council at the beginning of each financial year since 1997–98 are tabled as follows:
	
		£000
		
			  Shrewsbury and Atcham Shropshire 
		
		
			 1997–98 5,969 8,852 
			 1998–99 6,516 4,745 
			 1999–2000 6,936 7,944 
			 2000–01 6,367 8,490 
			 2001–02 5,042 4,562 
			 2002–03 5,509 n/a 
		
	
	Source:
	1997–98 to 2002–03 Revenue Summary Returns.
	Figures include schools' reserves, other earmarked reserves and unallocated reserves. The 2002–03 figure for Shropshire is not yet available.

Council Tax

Edward Davey: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what estimate the Government has made of the average level of council tax for the next financial year; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Raynsford: Decisions on council tax levels are for local authorities to take after consulting with their local electorates and taxpayers. The Government does make projections of the council tax yield in future years for the purposes of managing the public finances. These projections are based on a number of assumptions about changes in council tax levels, the tax base, the collection rate and council tax benefit payments. The level is assumed to rise in line with past trend, and does not represent a value judgment about what local authorities may choose to do in the future. These figures are not a Government view as to what constitutes an acceptable rise in council tax, and simply represent an assumption for public expenditure planning purposes. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister also makes a technical assumption in relation to the assumed national council tax which is used for the purposes of the formula which we use to make the annual grant distribution to all local authorities.

Council Tax

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what the (a) band D council tax and (b) average council tax paid in (i) Plymouth, (ii) Torbay, (iii) Torridge, (iv) West Devon, (v) south Hams, (vi) Exeter, (vii) Teignbridge, (viii) mid Devon, (ix) east Devon and (x) north Devon were in financial year 2003–04, including all precepts.

Nick Raynsford: The information requested is published on the website of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister at http://www.local.odpm.gov.uk/finance/ctax/ctax034.htm. The requested figures can be found there at columns 1 and 5 of Table 2, "2003–04 council taxes (average per dwelling and Band D for two adults): individual local authorities". The information is also available in the Library, in Table 2 that accompanied the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister "News Release 2003/0050: 25 March 2003".

Departmental Energy Use

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much (a) electricity and (b) other energy his Department has used in each year since 1997 (i) in total and (ii) per square metre; what the projected use is for each of the following years for which forecasts are made; what plans he has to reduce usage; and if he will make a statement.

Yvette Cooper: For parts (a) and (b) of the answer I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 3 November 2003, Official Report, column 404W.
	The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister was created in May 2002 and published its Greening Operations Policy Statement in October 2002. In this it states an objective to meet the cross-Government target of an on-going 1 per cent. per annum reduction in greenhouse gas emissions against 1999–2000 levels (expressed in terms of carbon equivalent emissions).
	The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's Greening Operations Policy Statement also identifies plans to reduce energy usage that include best practice advice to managers and staff, purchase of energy efficient equipment, introduction of more energy-efficient technologies and where possible increasing the proportion of energy obtained from embedded sources.

Departmental Staff

Eric Pickles: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many (a) staff expressed as a full-time equivalent and (b) press and public affairs staff were employed (i) in his Ministerial office, (ii) in other ministerial offices within his Department, (iii) by non-departmental bodies, (iv) by executive agencies and (v) by his Department in (A) 1996–97, (B) 1997–98 and (C) on the latest date for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.

Yvette Cooper: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister was created on 29 May 2002.
	Data on staffing levels in the Civil Service is collected from departments and agencies twice yearly, in April and October. The latest figures, for 1 April 2003, were published on 16 October 2003. These are available on the World Wide Web at www.civil-service.gov.uk/statistics. Copies of these documents are also available in the Libraries of the House.
	Cabinet Office publishes information on non-departmental public bodies in its annual publication 'Public Bodies'. The information includes details of the number of staff employed by each Non Departmental Public Bodies (NDPBs) at 31 March each year. "Public Bodies 2003" is available on the Cabinet Office website at www.cabinet-office.gov.uk/agencies-publicbodies
	At 1 April 2003, six full-time equivalent staff were employed in the ministerial office of the Deputy Prime Minister. A further 22 staff were employed in other Office of the Deputy Prime Minister ministerial offices. The press office provides a centralised media service on behalf of the Office as a whole. As at 1 April there were 21.8 full-time equivalent press officers. Information requested on the number of press office staff employed in the NDPBs and executive agencies is not held centrally, and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Disabled Children (Play Areas)

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what steps his Department is taking to promote good practice on making play areas more accessible for disabled children.

Yvette Cooper: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister published Developing "Accessible Play Space"—"A Good Practice Guide" on 12 November 2003. Copies of these are available in the Libraries of the House. "Developing Accessible Play Space"—"A Good Practice Guide" gives practical advice to play space providers on how to make outdoor play areas more accessible for disabled children. It will help play space providers to understand the issues that disabled children and their families face when using play spaces, and provides good practice examples of how to improve existing space as well as issues to consider when creating new ones.
	Copies of the guide have been sent to all local authorities in England, as well as to housing associations and other play space providers. The guide is also available on the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's website www.odpm.gov.uk

Emergency Night Shelters

Paul Marsden: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, how many people in each local authority were turned away from emergency night shelter accommodation in each year since 1997.

Yvette Cooper: This information is not collected centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Energy Performance

Norman Baker: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement in respect of his policy on the labelling of buildings open to the public in terms of their energy performance.

Phil Hope: By January 2006, the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive requires the United Kingdom to oblige owners of larger buildings occupied by certain types of public authorities and institutions, to openly display energy performance labels. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is considering how best to implement these requirements in the next major revision of the Building Regulations.

Energy Policy

Tim Yeo: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, if he will make a statement, in relation to his Office, on (a) the amount of energy consumed, (b) spending on (i) energy and (ii) energy efficiency measures, (c) the amount saved through energy efficiency measures and (d) energy policy in each of the last five years.

Yvette Cooper: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister was created in May 2002 and as such there have been no specific annual energy returns published to date. Energy figures for 2002–03 are being collected and will be published in due course.
	The energy policy of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister includes compliance with cross-government targets and is as contained within the departmental Greening Operations Policy Statement as published in October 2002.

Fire and Rescue Service

Mark Francois: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many support staff were employed by the Essex Fire and Rescue Service on 1 September 2003.

Nick Raynsford: As at 31 March 2003 (the latest figures available), there were 179 (full-time equivalent) support staff employed by Essex Fire and Rescue Service. The actual headcount number of support staff employed was 197.

Fire and Rescue Service

Mark Francois: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, how many community education vans were retained by the Essex Fire and Rescue Service on 1 September.

Nick Raynsford: There are four dedicated community education vans retained by Essex Fire and Rescue Service as at 1 September 2003.

Fire and Rescue Service

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what impact he proposes regional assemblies will have on the structure of the Fire Service in North Yorkshire.

Nick Raynsford: The Government made it clear in the White Paper "Our Fire and Rescue Service" (Cm 5808 June 2003) that in those parts of the country that choose to have an elected regional assembly one of its functions will be to oversee a regional fire and rescue service. This will mean fewer individual fire authorities. Day-to-day operational response, fire prevention and community fire safety work, however, will continue as now to be delivered at a local level.

Fire and Rescue Service

David Drew: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the reasons for introducing integrated personal development systems for the fire services in the South West Region.

Nick Raynsford: Integrated Personal Development System (IPDS) is a national system which is being rolled out across the whole country. The reasons for introducing it are set out in the White Paper "Our Fire and Rescue Service" (June 2003).

Fire and Rescue Service

David Drew: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what discussions he has had with individual fire authorities on integrated personal development systems.

Nick Raynsford: I have had no such discussions. But fire and rescue authorities are represented by the Local Government Association on the project board taking forward the integrated personal development system (IDPS) within the Fire and Rescue Service Modernisation Programme.

Fire and Rescue Service

David Drew: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the estimated cost is of introducing integrated personal development systems for the fire service in the South West Region.

Nick Raynsford: This is a matter for fire authorities in the South West.

Green Belt (Development)

Eric Pickles: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, how many applications have been received for development on green belt land since 1997; how many applications he approved for the development to proceed; and what the total size of the green belt area was on which he approved development.

Keith Hill: The information requested is not held centrally by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Homelessness (Older People)

Linda Perham: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what plans he has to tackle homelessness among older people.

Yvette Cooper: The Government are determined to tackle all forms of homelessness including amongst older people and wants to prevent it occurring wherever possible. This was set out in the March 2002 report, "More than a roof, which focused on the problems homeless people face as much as on places where they live.
	Under current legislation vulnerability due to old age is a priority need category. This ensures that vulnerable older people who become unintentionally homeless, or threatened with homelessness, must be provided with suitable accommodation by the local authority.
	In addition, the Homelessness Act 2002 required each local authority in England to undertake a review of homelessness in their area and put a strategy in place by the end of July 2003 to ensure that accommodation and support is available within their districts for homeless people and those at risk of homelessness. The Homelessness Directorate within the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has also issued good practice guidance to assist local authorities in the development of their strategies including information on addressing the needs of older people who are homeless or vulnerable to homelessness.

Houses in Multiple Occupation

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many houses are in multiple occupation; how many of them are registered; and how many local authorities have registration schemes.

Keith Hill: According to the English House Condition Survey 2001, there are 638,000 houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) in England, of which 338,140 are in the private rented sector (excluding those with resident landlords). According to the Housing Investment Programme Return 2003, 202 local authorities in England operate registration schemes and 14,902 HMOs are registered under them.

Housing

David Drew: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much has been spent by each local authority on (a) arm's length management organisations, (b) private finance initiative and (c) stock retention in relation to ownership of housing.

Keith Hill: A table showing figures for 2002–03 the capital spend by each local authority, management and maintenance expenditure and the amount that is Arms Length Management Organisation (ALMO) funding is available in the Library of the House. The first ALMOs qualified to start spending in the final quarter of 2002–03, with actual expenditure for 2002–03 recorded at £55.9million.
	It is not possible to provide information on spend for PFI schemes as the commercial position of schemes still in procurement must be protected. However, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has allocated a total of £760 million credits to 16 schemes. Two of those schemes are signed: Islington (£75million) and Manchester (£39 million). The other Pathfinders are Newham, Camden, NE Derbyshire, Sandwell, Leeds and Reading. The Round 2 schemes are Islington, Newham, Lewisham, NE Derbyshire, Manchester, Leeds, Oldham and Ashford.

Housing

James Purnell: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on investment in social housing.

Keith Hill: Under this Government, total housing investment has more than trebled, rising from £1.4 billion in 1997–98 to £4.9 billion in 2004–05. Amongst other positive developments, this investment has served to improve nearly one million social homes to the decent homes standard already, and we expect to bring another 500,000 social homes up to the standard by spring of next year. Meanwhile, we are investing £5 billion in more affordable housing over the next three years—that is double the level of investment we inherited in 1997.

Housing

Andrew Selous: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what his policy is regarding owners of ex-local authority homes who wish to sell them back to the local authority.

Keith Hill: It is up to landlords to decide whether they wish to repurchase homes that they have previously sold, having regard to local housing needs. But we know that some people who have bought council homes, particularly flats, have subsequently found themselves in financial difficulties. So since April 1999 we have helped authorities to buy back such homes, by covering 35 per cent of the costs they incur if they spend £50,000 per year or more. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister are ensuring that similar provisions continue to operate under the new local government capital finance system that starts on 1 April 2004.

IT Projects

John Pugh: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much he spent on IT (a) licences, (b) maintenance, (c) software and (d) hardware in the last financial year.

Yvette Cooper: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister was created on 29 May 2002. The information held by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and its agencies differs in detail due to the different vote and trading account practices and different IT service supply arrangements. Some of the information requested is subsumed in the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's strategic investment in IT. To provide accurate figures for the period and with the degree of breakdown requested is not possible without incurring disproportionate cost.
	Such information as is available indicates that in 2002–03 ODPM HQ, with DFT HQ, spent
	£2,100,000 on hardware
	£1,540,000 on software
	£1,018,000 on maintenance and consumables

Large Scale Voluntary Transfers

David Drew: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister on how many occasions the Audit Commission has raised with him issues relating to individual ballots for large scale voluntary transfer in the last three years.

Keith Hill: None.

Meeting Costs

Norman Lamb: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many times the (a) Urban Sounding Board, (b) Core Cities Working Group and (c) Arson Control Forum have met since they were established; how much each meeting cost; what the (i) annual budget since inception, (ii) projected budget for the next two years and (iii) current work programme of each body is; and if he will make a statement.

Keith Hill: (a) The Urban Sounding Board met 9 times between April 2001 and September 2002.
	Members were invited to join the Board in a voluntary capacity and received no remuneration. The estimated average costs of refreshments and travel and subsistence claims for each meeting were £900.
	(i) and (ii) There was no specific annual budget for the Urban Sounding Board. Meeting costs were paid for out of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister Urban Policy Directorate's general running costs budget.
	(iii) The Sounding Board is to be replaced with smaller ad hoc working groups of external advisors and officials with specific time-limited remits focusing on key issues of concern to the Department, such as obstacles to physical regeneration and skills. Membership of these groups will be voluntary and non-remunerative.
	(b) The Core Cities Working Group has met 14 times since its inception in April 2002. Members of the Working Group, including officials from central government and the Regional Development Agencies and local government officers from the Core Cities, attend meetings as part of their normal duties. The estimated average cost of refreshments for each meeting has been around £70. No other meeting costs have been incurred.
	(i) and ii) No annual budgets have been set for the Working Group as running costs are minimal. Organisations participating all bear their own costs.
	(iii) The Working Group is currently contributing to the evidence base supporting the government's Public Service Agreement target for regional economic performance. It is seeking to understand how competitive cities can contribute to improvements in regional economic growth through four sub groups focusing on: skills, innovation, better connectivity between cities and regions, and Strategic leadership, with a particular focus on key issues likely to make a difference. The group's work will feed into policy measures to be agreed as part of the Spending Review 2004.
	(c) Since it was set up in April 2001 the Arson Control Forum has met 5 times. The estimated average cost of the room, refreshments and travel and substance claims for each meeting was £650.
	(i) and (ii) The annual Arson Control Forum budget since its formal launch is:
	
		
			  £ million 
		
		
			 2001–02 1.20 
			 2002–03 1.36 
			 2003–04 4.02 (projected) 
			 2004–05 4.47 (projected) 
			 2005–06 4.80 (projected) 
		
	
	(iii) The Arson Control Forum's main activities in its current work programme are the partial funding of local arson reduction projects in England & Wales, supported by a research programme into various aspects of the arson problem (e.g. the relationship between car arson and other car crimes), and the publication of best practice guides on arson prevention.

Pathfinders Programme

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what evaluation of the Pathfinders programme has taken place.

Keith Hill: Individual schemes will be assessed by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and scrutinised independently by the Audit Commission before resources from the Housing Market Renewal Fund are allocated.
	The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister shall be establishing monitoring systems that will enable us to see the effects of Pathfinder projects on both their own and neighbouring areas. In addition, we shall be evaluating the overall effectiveness of individual Pathfinders' approaches and the programme as a whole.
	An evaluation of the Housing PFI Pathfinder programme has begun. The first part identified a framework for the evaluation programme. This is now completed. Following on from this, work is now underway on a baseline evaluation—the first phase of which has been completed. The findings can be found on the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's website http://www.odpm.gov.uk/stellent/groups/odpm housing/documents/page/odpm house 609810.pdf.

Pathfinders Programme

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister in what ways (a) the West Midlands and (b) Coventry have benefited from Pathfinders.

Keith Hill: Both the North Staffordshire and the Birmingham and Sandwell Market Renewal Pathfinders are situated in the West Midlands region. Both have currently received funding of £6.66 million. This money is being used to prepare the Pathfinder's scheme and to fund some early interventions. The two Pathfinders are now currently in the process of preparing their strategic schemes to bid for resources from the Housing Market Renewal fund.
	Coventry does not benefit from Housing Market Renewal activity because it lies outside of any of the nine Housing Market Renewal intervention areas.

Performance Monitoring

Howard Flight: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the total cost was of (a) setting, (b) monitoring and (c) measuring the performance targets for his Department in 2002–03; and how many and what grades of civil servants monitor these targets.

Yvette Cooper: Performance targets for the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister were agreed as part of Spending Review 2002. The monitoring and measurement of PSA targets forms part of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's performance management systems. Performance management is an integral part of the day to day running of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and as such it is not possible to separate the specific costs out. The monitoring of progress towards and performance against the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's PSA targets is undertaken by a wide variety of staff at all levels of the organisation.

Regional Assembly Elections

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, whether he plans to offer advice and guidance to local authorities in areas subject to regional assembly referendums on the extent to which they can publicise their own views on the recommendations of the Boundary Committee on the proposed new local government structure in their area.

Nick Raynsford: No—the rules on such matters are clearly laid out in the Code of Practice on Local Authority Publicity.
	The Boundary Committee will be giving its recommendations wide publicity. Its reports will explain the views of those that made submissions or representations, including those of the local authorities affected.
	Local authorities may, within reason, make known their views on a preferred outcome in a referendum. These are matters for the judgement of the local authorities affected but the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister does not believe that it is either necessary or appropriate for them to spend council tax payers' money on further publicity.

Registered Social Housing

George Howarth: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister 
	(1)  what (a) guidance and (b) advice his Department published for tenants of registered social landlords, concerning (i) their rights in respect of consultation over demolition programmes and (ii) major policy changes;
	(2)  what (a) guidance and (b) advice his Department has published for registered social landlords concerning their responsibilities towards tenants, with particular reference to their responsibilities to inform tenants of their rights when properties become earmarked for demolition;
	(3)  what statutory procedures should be carried out by registered social housing landlords prior to determining demolition programmes.

Keith Hill: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has not published guidance and advice to registered social landlords (RSLs) or their tenants in respect of consultation about demolition programmes and major policy changes. Section 105 of the Housing Act 1985 requires landlords to "maintain such arrangements" as they consider appropriate for informing secure tenants about any proposals for changes in housing management which will affect them "substantially". These "matters" should include maintenance, improvement and demolition. The Housing Corporation is regulator of RSLs and its regulatory code and guidance (published in "The Way Forward: Our approach to regulation" in January 2002) include requirements that RSLs must seek and be responsive to residents' views and priorities. RSLs are required, amongst other things, to enable residents to be involved in decision making and to provide information about its activities to residents. The regulatory code and guidance apply to all types of legal occupier, including occupants with assured and secure tenancies.
	RSLs do not require consent to demolish property. However, they do require the consent of the Housing Corporation under section 9 of the Housing Act 1996 if property is to be demolished and the land is to be disposed of. RSLs are required to consult the field offices of the Housing Corporation about the need for any grant payment or re-payment in these circumstances.

Registered Social Housing

George Howarth: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what resources in terms of (a) funding and (b) support are made available by the Government to registered social housing landlords to rectify housing stock in need of a major structural repair.

Keith Hill: The Housing Corporation has allocated £38.9 million in 2003–04 for works to Registered Social Landlords stock. This includes major repairs. The corporation, with the National Housing Federation, has issued guidance to associations covering all aspects of asset management, including how to deal with stock in need of major repair. They have also supported a number of seminars and other training events on this topic. Corporation regulators work with associations at risk of failing to meet the Decent Homes Standard on any of the criteria, including structural soundness, to ensure that all homes will meet the standard by 2010.

Registered Social Housing

George Howarth: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the optimum size is of housing stock for stock transfers of local authority housing to a single trust or association.

Keith Hill: The Housing Transfer Manual 2003 makes clear that decisions on the number of dwellings transferring from a local authority to a new landlord will depend on local circumstances. A material consideration in deciding the number of dwellings transferring to a single landlord would be the number of dwellings remaining after any proposed demolitions. This supersedes the 12,000 dwelling guideline that existed previously.

Registered Social Housing

George Howarth: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what his policy is regarding housing trusts or associations created as a result of stock transfer ballots by tenants, in cases where they propose demolishing occupied properties without the consent of tenants.

Keith Hill: Tenants should be fully involved in all the stages of deciding how to deliver the decent home objective. This includes the option appraisal process, and, where transfer is the preferred option, the detailed development of the transfer proposal including the likely need for demolitions.

Registered Social Housing

George Howarth: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what his policy is regarding housing trusts or associations created as a result of stock transfer ballots, in cases where tenants demonstrate a desire to establish a new or alternative body to (a) manage, (b) own and (c) manage and own part of the trust's or association's housing stock.

Keith Hill: Increasing tenant participation is a priority for all housing transfers. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister would expect any new landlord to be willing to consider any approach from its tenants to manage, own or own and manage their stock. However, in considering any request we would expect the landlord to consider the impact on other tenants, delivery of the transfer promises and the effect on the business plan.

Rural Housing

David Drew: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the exception site planning principle for the provision of housing in villages.

Keith Hill: Current policy on providing for rural exception housing is set out in Planning Policy Guidance Note 3: Housing, Annex B. The policy allows local planning authorities to consider including a "rural exception policy" in their plans where there remains a lack of affordable housing to meet local needs. An exception policy enables a local planning authority to grant planning permission for small sites for affordable housing to meet local needs in perpetuity, within or adjoining existing villages, which may be subject to policies of restraint. The current policy advises that it is inappropriate for local planning authorities to allocate particular sites for affordable housing.
	The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's consultation document "Influencing the size, type and affordability of housing" proposes that the current policy on providing for rural exception housing is replaced by a policy that enables local planning authorities to identify sites solely for affordable housing, on land within or adjoining existing villages, which would not otherwise be released for housing. The consultation period officially closed on 31 October 2003, but responses after that date have been considered because of the postal dispute.

Rural Housing

David Drew: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister for what reasons the use of exception sites in rural areas is being replaced by a requirement for local authorities to provide a specified number of affordable units through application of planning gains.

Keith Hill: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's consultation document "Influencing the size, type and affordability of housing" proposes that the current policy on providing for rural exception housing set out in Annex B of Planning Policy Guidance Note 3: "Housing" is replaced by a policy that enables local planning authorities to identify sites solely for affordable housing, on land within or adjoining existing villages, which would not otherwise be released for housing.
	The proposal seeks to address concerns that the securing of affordable housing through the current rural exception policy takes too long. The proposed policy will provide affordable housing in a more considered way through the plan-making process. It is anticipated that it will deliver affordable housing where it is needed more effectively and more quickly than the current policy.

Supermarkets (Planning)

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what investigations the Government have carried out into the extent to which existing planning applications for supermarkets have a condition stating the maximum retail floor space; and how many applications have had such conditions attached.

Keith Hill: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister does not collect information on the amount of floor space granted in planning permissions or what conditions were attached, because to do so would be an excessive burden on local authorities. Our policy is to minimise the data demands we place on local planning authorities.
	From the cases that my officials have seen, which are mainly the largest retail cases, and from advice they have sought, their assessment agreed with that of the hon. Member in Standing Committee that the vast majority of consents since 1996 have maximum floor space stipulated in conditions, whereas for those prior to 1996 it may have been less frequent.

Tenancy Deposit Scheme

Mike Hancock: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what evaluation his Department has made of the pilot Tenancy Deposit Scheme; and if he will make a statement.

Keith Hill: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave on 10 November in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Gower (Mr. Caton), Official Report, column 164W.

Tenancy Deposit Scheme

Mike Hancock: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what research he has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the case for a statutory Tenancy Deposit Scheme; what plans he has to introduce legislation; and if he will make a statement.

Keith Hill: On the first part of the question I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Gower (Mr. Caton) on 10 November 2003, Official Report, column 164W.
	On the second part, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister are currently considering the case for legislation in the context of the Law Commission's proposals for tenure reform.

Traffic Noise (PPG 24)

Oliver Heald: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister 
	(1)  if he will reduce the maximum noise thresholds in PPG 24 for aircraft noise to below those for other traffic noise sources;
	(2)  if he will set lower maximum traffic noise thresholds for rural areas than for urban areas in PPG 24 when assessing new development areas;
	(3)  if he will remove the two to three decibel allowance included in PPG 24 for aircraft noise;
	(4)  if he will amend PPG 24 to bring the maximum recommended traffic noise levels for assessing new development areas into line with the recommendations of the World Health Organisation.

Keith Hill: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is currently undertaking a comprehensive review of Planning Policy Guidance Note 24: "Planning and Noise". The review will include a re-assessment of the Noise Exposure Categories (NECs) in the light of the World Health Organisation's guidelines and other recommendations and research.
	With regards to traffic noise thresholds for rural areas as compared with urban areas, the existing guidance already contains provision for local authorities, where appropriate, to vary the recommended levels contained in the NEC tables by up to three dB(A) (decibels of average weighted sound.

Urban Landscapes Project

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on UK participation in the EU Sustainable and Accessible Urban Landscapes Project.

Yvette Cooper: SAUL(2) is a transnational project funded under the European INTERREG III initiative involving partners from the UK, Germany, Netherlands and Luxembourg.
	It is led by the UK partner 'Groundwork UK'. Its aim is to improve the public realm and public open space through a collaborative planning and design approach. It involves a range of urban landscape demonstration projects; development of regional strategies; a transnational programme to promote learning, knowledge and experience transfer and planning for new urban landscapes.

Warrington Borough Council

Helen Jones: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what estimate he has made of the rate of local income tax which would be necessary to fund services provided by Warrington Borough Council (a) if such a tax were levied on all those employed in Warrington and (b) if such a tax were levied on residents of Warrington.

Phil Hope: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has made no estimate of these matters. The Steering Group of the Balance of Funding Review, chaired by my rt. hon. Friend the member for Greenwich and Woolwich, has asked external organisations to give evidence on a number of issues put to it by consultees, which include the case for introducing some form of local income tax. We have made clear that the fact that the group is looking at the issues put to it does not mean that the Government endorses them.

Website

John Barrett: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what recent assessment he has made of the content and design of his Department's website.

Yvette Cooper: The current Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's web site went on line in July this year. It's design and content is consistent with Cabinet Office guidelines and the development process included usability testing, online user research and extensive content evaluation.
	The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister will be reviewing the content and design of the site on a regular basis.

Wilson Marriage Centre, Colchester

Bob Russell: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister pursuant to his answer of 6 October 2003, if he will call in public inquiry Application CC/COL/03/1437 by Essex County Council in respect of land it owns at the Wilson Marriage Centre, Barrack Streeet, Colchester.

Keith Hill: The planning application in question represents a departure from the local development plan. Essex County Council have confirmed that the application, should they be minded to approve it, will be submitted to my rt. hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister in due course, so that he can consider whether the proposals raise any issues which would warrant his intervention.
	In considering whether his intervention may be justified, all representations received will be given very careful consideration.

TREASURY

Suicide

Paul Burstow: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many suicides there were in each month in (a) England and (b) each region in each of the last six years.

Ruth Kelly: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Paul Burstow, dated 19 November 2003
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent question concerning how many suicides there were in each month in a) England and b) each region in each of the last six years. (139867)
	The most recent available mortality data are for the calendar year 2002. I will arrange for figures for each year from 1997 to 2002, by month and Government Office Region, to be placed in the House of Commons Library.

Teenage Pregnancy

John Mann: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many teenage pregnancies there were in (a) the UK, (b) coalfield communities and (c) Bassetlaw in the last 12 months for which figures are available.

Ruth Kelly: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Len Cook to John Mann, dated 19 November 2003
	As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent question asking how many teenage pregnancies there were in a) UK, b) Coalfield communities and c) Bassetlaw, for the last 12 months for which figures are available. (140052) Figures for the United Kingdom are not available because conception statistics are not calculated for Northern Ireland, and those for Scotland are not produced on a comparable basis to England and Wales. The information available for England and Wales is shown in the table below.
	The number of teenage pregnancies in England and Wales are compiled routinely by calendar years. The latest year for which figures are available is 2001*.
	
		Number of pregnancies among women aged under 18 in England and Wales, Coalfield communities and Bassetlaw, 2001
		
			  Number of pregnancies 
		
		
			 England and Wales 40,966 
			 Coalfield communities 5,534 
			 Bassetlaw 80 
		
	
	* Provisional figures

Unemployment Rates

Andrew Turner: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the level of (a) unemployment, (b) seasonally adjusted unemployment and (c) long-term unemployment for the Isle of Wight was for each month since 2000.

Ruth Kelly: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Andrew Turner, dated 19 November 2003
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent parliamentary question asking for the level of (a) unemployment (b) seasonally adjusted unemployment and (c) long-term unemployment for the Isle of Wight each month since 2000. (139977)
	The Office for National Statistics (ONS) compiles statistics of unemployment from the Labour Force Survey (LFS) following the internationally standard International Labour Organisation definition.
	However, the LFS sample size is too small to give reliable estimates of long-term unemployment for the Isle of Wight, or Parliamentary Constituency estimates on a monthly basis.
	ONS also compiles statistics of those claiming Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) for local areas including Parliamentary Constituencies. The attached table gives the number of JSA claimants and long-term claimants, those who have been claiming for at least 12 months, in the Isle of Wight Parliamentary Constituency for the period January 2000 to October 2003. Claimant count figures are not seasonally adjusted at Parliamentary Constituency level.
	
		Number of jobseeker's allowance claimants in the Isle of Wight parliamentary constituency from January 2000 to October 2003 (not seasonally adjusted)
		
			  All claimants Claimants over 12 months 
		
		
			 2000   
			 January 3,729 906 
			 February 3,596 885 
			 March 3,279 840 
			 April 2,892 775 
			 May 2,616 753 
			 June 2,433 725 
			 July 2,403 722 
			 August 2,325 683 
			 September 2,249 679 
			 October 2,347 673 
			 November 2,660 662 
			 December 2,945 653 
			 2001   
			 January 3,305 646 
			 February 3,189 633 
			 March 2,876 610 
			 April 2,419 598 
			 May 2,228 594 
			 June 2,039 565 
			 July 1,970 544 
			 August 1,940 532 
			 September 1,911 513 
			 October 2,059 497 
			 November 2,332 488 
			 December 2,622 482 
			 2002   
			 January 3,008 481 
			 February 2,867 478 
			 March 2,587 452 
			 April 2,359 442 
			 May 2,220 439 
			 June 1,973 412 
			 July 1,915 379 
			 August 1,874 346 
			 September 1,887 331 
			 October 1,927 329 
			 November 2,198 309 
			 December 2,451 322 
			 2003   
			 January 2,785 325 
			 February 2,741 308 
			 March 2,438 298 
			 April 2,125 296 
			 May 1,939 291 
			 June 1,775 282 
			 July 1,714 282 
			 August 1,662 260 
			 September 1,689 279 
			 October 1,709 273 
		
	
	Source:
	Jobcentre Plus administrative system.

Advertising Costs

Vincent Cable: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the cost of advertising by (a) HM Treasury, (b) the Inland Revenue, (c) Customs and Excise, (d) the Office of National Statistics, (e) National Savings and (f) the Royal Mint in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement.

Ruth Kelly: For the years 1997 to 2002 in respect of HM Treasury, Inland Revenue, HM Customs and Excise and the Royal Mint, I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given to the hon. Member for Buckingham (Mr. Bercow) on 7 May 2002, Official Report, column 36W.
	The information relating to subsequent years is as follows:
	Inland Revenue
	2002–04: £19.9 million
	2003–04: £7.4 million
	HM Customs and Excise
	2002–03: £1,539,000
	2003–04: £1,557,000
	The figures for the Office for National Statistics and National Savings and Investments since 1997 are as follows:
	Office for National Statistics
	1997–2000: £3,000
	2000–01: £1,272,000
	2001–02: £1,770,000
	2002–03: None
	National Savings and Investments
	1997–98: £3,893,000
	1998–99: £1,532,000
	1999–2000: £7,011,500
	2000–01: £2,770,086
	2001–02: £3,279,000
	2002–03: £2,459,822
	2003–04: £1,900,000

Child Tax Credit

Steve Webb: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the number of pensioners with dependent children who are receiving Child Tax Credit.

Dawn Primarolo: I refer the hon. Member to the answer that the Minister for Pensions gave him on 3 November 2003, Official Report, column 467W. Most of those who were not already receiving Child Tax Credit (CTC), who were expected to still have dependent children at the introduction of Pension Credit (PC) and who were expected to qualify for PC at that date, were automatically transferred to tax credits. They are now receiving the CTC, if still entitled.

Council Tax

Stephen Dorrell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of general government revenue was accounted for by council tax in each tax year between 1992–93 and 2001–02.

Dawn Primarolo: The figures requested are given in the table:
	
		Council tax(35) as percentage of general government total receipts
		
			  Percentage 
		
		
			 1992–93 3.8 
			 1993–94 3.5 
			 1994–95 3.4 
			 1995–96 3.5 
			 1996–97 3.6 
			 1997–98 3.5 
			 1998–99 3.6 
			 1999–2000 3.7 
			 2000–01 3.8 
			 2001–02 4.0 
		
	
	(35) Community charge in 1992–93

Employment Statistics

Denzil Davies: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of jobs in (a) England, (b) Scotland and (c) Wales were in the (i) public sector and (ii) voluntary sector in the last 12 months for which figures are available.

Ruth Kelly: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Denzil Davies, dated 19 November 2003
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question about jobs in the public and voluntary sectors. (139943)
	Information about jobs in the public sector in the United Kingdom is compiled by ONS from returns made by public bodies. From this source, the latest estimate of jobs in the public sector in the UK is 5,298,000 in June 2002, representing 18.3 per cent. of all jobs in the UK. Comparable information is not available for England, Wales and Scotland, nor for the voluntary sector.
	However, information about people in employment is collected in the Labour Force Survey (LFS), and is classified by sector according to the details of their work supplied by respondents to the survey. Employment data covers only the main job of those employed and therefore omits second and subsequent jobs. The LFS definition of the voluntary sector includes all institutions holding charitable status, which would include, for example, employees in many private schools.
	The attached table shows the percentages of all people in employment that worked in the public and voluntary sectors in England, Scotland and Wales for the year to August 2003.
	
		Percentages of all people in employment working in the public and voluntary sectors—12 months to August 2003 -- Percentage not seasonally adjusted
		
			  Voluntary sector Public sector 
		
		
			 England 2.0 22.2 
			 Scotland 2.4 27.4 
			 Wales 2.0 28.5 
		
	
	Source:
	Labour Force Survey.

Gold

Richard Page: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many tonnes of gold from UK gold holdings were sold in each year since 1997; at what price per ounce they were sold; and what the value of the sales per ounce was at the afternoon fix on 3 November.

Ruth Kelly: I refer the hon. Member to the answers given to the right hon. Member for Wokingham (Mr. Redwood) on 27 October 2003, Official Report, column 39W and to the hon. Members for Reigate (Mr. Blunt) on 3 November 2003, Official Report, column 457W, and for Rochford and Southend, East (Sir Teddy Taylor) on 20 May 2002, Official Report, column 87W; and to the table in the Treasury document "Review of the sale of part of the UK Gold Reserves", a copy of which is available in the Library of the House.
	At the afternoon fix on 3 November 2003, the total proceeds from the sales of gold was US$4,867 million.

Household Wealth

Vincent Cable: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the stock of household wealth, net of debt, in (a) 1990, (b) 1997 and (c) the latest period for which figures are available; and what the shares of (i) housing and (ii) securities in the stock were in each case.

Ruth Kelly: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.

Identity Cards

Steve Webb: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the savings that his Department will make through the introduction of a compulsory identity card.

Ruth Kelly: The Treasury has been involved in discussions on the benefits and costs of a national identity card scheme. The introduction of such a scheme is a long term undertaking, and my department will be involved with ongoing analysis of the benefits and costs. It is too early at present to attribute the scale of any savings to Treasury departments.

Income Tax

Jim Cousins: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what increase in income tax he estimates would be required to be levied on English taxpayers in order to generate an additional (a) £19 billion and (b) £22 billion.

Dawn Primarolo: There are a number of ways income tax could be increased to generate revenue. I refer my hon. Friend to table 1.6 "Direct effects of illustrative tax changes" on the Inland Revenue website www.inland revenue.gov.uk/stats/tax expenditures/g t06 1.htm, which provides a ready reckoner of the effects of changing the rates of income tax in the UK.

Ministerial Statements

David Heathcoat-Amory: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his statement of 9 June 2003, Official Report, column 420, what evidential basis he used to support his statement that 3 million jobs in the UK were dependent on the European Union.

Ruth Kelly: The Treasury estimates that 3 million jobs in the UK are linked, directly and indirectly, to the export of goods and services to the European Union. This figure is based on the assumption that the share of total UK employment associated with UK exports to the EU is equal to the share of total UK value added (GVA) generated by UK exports to the EU.

Mobile Phone Contracts

Vincent Cable: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much the central mobile telecommunications contract managed by the Office of Government Commerce cost in each year since the scheme started, broken down by government department; how many mobile phone contracts are managed for each department under the contract; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Boateng: The information is as follows:
	
		£
		
			 Year Aggregated central civil government expenditure through the framework contract Aggregated number of mobile phone contracts agreed through the framework 
		
		
			 2000–01 3,168,282 39,501 
			 2001–02 5,504,891 62,614 
			 2002–03 10,852,269 99,907 
		
	
	The GTM framework provides a vehicle for Central Civil Government departments and the wider public sector to purchase mobile telephony, data and wide area paging services.
	The table shows the aggregated central civil government expenditure through the GTM framework contracts since the frameworks were available. A breakdown of expenditure by government department is not held centrally in the form requested and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.
	The table also shows the aggregated number of mobile phone contracts agreed through the framework, this equates to the number of individual handsets obtained.

National Insurance Fund

Paul Flynn: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer in which years the rate of Treasury supplement to the National Insurance Fund was 18 per cent.; and if he will estimate the amount of the supplement in the current year if it were paid at that rate.

Dawn Primarolo: The Treasury supplement was 18 per cent. for the years 1975–76 to 1980–81. It was abolished in 1988–89. If it still applied, and the rate was 18 per cent. it would amount to £12.4 billion for 2003–04.

Official Residences

Howard Flight: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much the Department spent on (a) maintenance, (b) renovation, (c) council tax and (d) running costs of residential properties used by Ministers and officials in each year since 1997.

Ruth Kelly: The details requested are set out as follows.
	
		
			  Maintenance Renovation Council tax Running costs(36) 
		
		
			 1997–98 0 0 304 62,306 
			 1998–99 0 0 325 149,598 
			 1999–2000 0 0 350 166,841 
			 2000–01 0 0 375 124,456 
			 2001–02 0 0 410 139,814 
			 2002–03 0 0 445 156,570 
		
	
	(36) These costs include the proportion of capital charge (rent), rates, service charges and utilities in respect of the No.10 flat.
	The increase in rent/rates from 1997–98 to 1998–99 is due to the introduction of capital charging to replace Property Repayment Service assessed rents as the method of accounting for Crown Freehold properties.

Payroll Services

Edward Davey: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what measures of performance and customer satisfaction were included in the framework agreement between Her Majesty's Treasury and CMG for the implementation and provision of payroll services; what assessment he has made of the outcomes against target in relation to this agreement to date; and if he will make a statement.

Ruth Kelly: The Principal Framework for the provision of payroll services was set up to enable HM Treasury or any other Department or Agency to enter into an individual service contract with the Supplier for payroll provision. The Framework Agreement lays down approved warranties, undertakings and representations for the Supplier.
	The Framework Agreement also provides for the termination of the Agreement.
	The Framework Agreement did not confer upon the Supplier any right to service the payroll requirements of HM Treasury or any Department or Agency other than as provided in any service contracts.

Personal Tax/Benefits

Howard Flight: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  pursuant to his statement of 13 November 2003, Official Report, column 403, on personal tax and benefit changes since 1997, if he will (a) list the personal tax and benefit changes since 1997 that have benefited householders and (b) state the net change in Government revenue resulting from each personal tax and benefit change for each applicable year since 1997;
	(2)  pursuant to his statement of 13 November 2003, Official Report, column 403, on personal tax and benefit changes since 1997, what definition he used of householders; and how many householders there were in each year since 1997;
	(3)  pursuant to his statement of 13 November 2003, Official Report, column 403, if he will (a) list the assumptions made and (b) set out the calculations used in coming to the conclusion on benefits to householders of personal tax and benefit changes since 1997.

John Healey: The Government have introduced a number of personal tax and benefit measures since 1997 that have benefited households. As I said in my answer of 13 November 2003, Official Report, column 403, householders are, on average, £775 a year better off. Full details of these measures and their effect on Exchequer revenues are set out in the relevant Financial Statement and Budget reports, copies of which are available in the Library of the House. These measures include cutting the basic rate of income tax to 22 per cent. the lowest rate for 70 years, introducing the 10p starting rate of income tax, over-indexing age-related personal allowances and introducing the working and child tax credits to support families and tackle child poverty.
	The definition of a household can be found on page 173 of the 2002 edition of Family Spending a copy of which is available in the Library of the House. Table 1.1 of this publication gives an estimate of the number of households in 2001–02; figures for earlier years are given in previous editions.
	An estimate of the average gain is calculated by comparing net household incomes after the operation of 2003–04 direct tax and benefit system with those after the operation of the 1997–98 direct tax and benefit system, uprating parameters to 2003–04 levels in line with changes in prices, and excluding the effect of the abolition of mortgage interest relief at source (MIRAS).

Private Schools

George Foulkes: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the effect on value added tax revenue of the charitable status of private schools in the last year for which figures are available.

John Healey: No such estimate can be made. VAT reliefs for charities are general and available data on expenditure by charities and non-profit making bodies
	do not identify different sectors.

Secondees

Vincent Cable: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 4 November 2003, Official Report, column 620W, on secondees, which organisation is responsible for salaries and expenses of secondees out of the Treasury; and if he will make a statement.

Ruth Kelly: Of the 28 organisations mentioned in my earlier answer, the Treasury fully funds secondments to 6 of the organisations (with one of which we have a reciprocal arrangement). Secondments are partially funded by us to 6 other organisations, and the remaining 16 are fully funded by the organisation.

Stamp Duty

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the revenue cost of restructuring stamp duty on residential property sales so as to charge marginal rates of (a) 0 per cent. on property sales of £100,000 or less, (b) 2 per cent. on sales revenue of between £100,000 and £199,999, (c) 3 per cent. on sales revenue of between £200,000 and £299,999, (d) 4 per cent. on sales revenue of £300,000 to £399,999, (e) 5 per cent. on sales revenue of £400,000 to £499,999, (f) 6 per cent. on sales revenue of £500,000 to £749,999 and (g) 7 per cent. on sales revenue of £750,000 and above.

Ruth Kelly: The revenue cost of restructuring stamp duty on residential property sales according to the scheme described above is estimated to be £700 million in 2004–05. This does not include any allowance for behavioural changes.

Tax Credits (Overpayment)

Richard Burden: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  whether existing tax credit claimants will be expected to make contact with the Inland Revenue to request a form or give information regarding their earnings for the last tax year in preparation for a reconciliation of their tax credit status in April 2004;
	(2)  what action he is taking to ensure that the Inland Revenue applies lessons learned from the first year of operation of the (a) working tax credit and (b) child tax credit to the administration of those credits in time for financial year 2004–05;
	(3)  whether existing tax credit claimants will automatically be sent forms to complete regarding their earnings for the last tax year in preparation for a reconciliation of their tax credit status in April 2004;
	(4)  when he expects existing tax credit claimants to provide information about their earnings over the last tax year in order to achieve a smooth reconciliation of individuals' entitlements in time for April 2004.

Dawn Primarolo: The Inland Revenue has reflected the lessons learned from the introduction of tax credits last April in the detailed design of the processes for finalising tax credits awards and renewing claims from April 2004.
	The Inland Revenue will be writing to all tax credits claimants early next year to explain how the finalisation and renewals processes will work, and to let them know what they can expect to receive from the Revenue and how and when they would be expected to respond.
	No claimant will need to initiate contact. The Inland Revenue will write to all tax credits claimants from April 2004 over a period of weeks explaining how they can finalise their award for 2003–04 and renew their claim for 2004–05, if appropriate.
	Once contacted by the Inland Revenue, we expect two-thirds of claimants will need to provide details of their income for the previous tax year (2003–04) and confirm their circumstances over the period of their award.
	The remaining third of claimants—families receiving only the family element of child tax credit—will not need to contact the Inland Revenue unless they have changes to report in their circumstances or income over the last tax year (2003–04). Because the level of their award would be affected only by a significant change in income, we expect that only a small minority of these claimants will need to report their 2003–04 income.
	Claimants who need to provide information will have until 30 September 2004 in which to do so. During this renewal period, tax credits payments will continue. Once the information is provided, the Inland Revenue will finalise the previous tax year's award (2003–04) and, if appropriate, set up the award for 2004–05.
	If they do not have details of their actual income for 2003–04 by the deadline, claimants can provide an estimate by 30 September 2004. They will then have until 31 January 2005 to provide the details of their actual income.
	There will be a comprehensive publicity campaign throughout the period to ensure that claimants are fully aware of what they have to do.
	The Inland Revenue is also expanding the capacity of the Tax Credits Helpline to support the finalisation and renewals processes, with the addition of two new contact centres.
	As set out in my answers of 7 July 2003 to the hon. Members for Arundel and South Downs (Mr. Flight), Official Report, column 583W and for Yeovil (Mr. Laws), Official Report, column 584W, the Inland Revenue's compliance strategy for new tax credits has been placed in the Library of the House.

Tax Credits (Overpayment)

Archy Kirkwood: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many complaints he has received about (a) child tax and (b) working tax credit; how much compensation has been paid for errors; and what the (i) range and (ii) average amount of compensation paid is.

Norman Lamb: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  how many compensation awards have been made by the Inland Revenue in respect of complaints about (a) child and (b) working tax credit;
	(2)  how many complaints seeking compensation have been received in respect of (a) child and (b) working tax credit;
	(3)  what the total value is of compensation awards made by the Inland Revenue in respect of complaints about (a) child and (b) working tax credits.

Dawn Primarolo: holding answer 4 November 2003
	To the end of September approximately 1,600 claims had been paid out. This represents about one thirtieth of one per cent of all claims received for tax credit awards. The average payment was £30.

Taxation

Mark Hoban: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much additional revenue would be raised from the residents of (a) each of the borough councils in Hampshire and (b) the Southampton and Portsmouth unitary authorities for every penny increase in the basic rate of tax.

Dawn Primarolo: The requested information is given in the table.
	
		Additional full-year yield (£ million) of increasing the basic rate of tax by 1p in 2000–01
		
			  
		
		
			 (a) Borough Councils in Hampshire  
			 Basingstoke and Deane 10.4 
			 East Hampshire 6.8 
			 Eastleigh 8.4 
			 Fareham 6.9 
			 Gosport 4.3 
			 Hart 6.1 
			 Havant 5.8 
			 New Forest 9.0 
			 Rushmoor 4.4 
			 Test Valley 6.7 
			 Winchester 8.2 
			 (b) Portsmouth and Southampton unitary authorities  22.1 
		
	
	Estimates are based upon the 2000–01 Survey of Personal Incomes. The effects of the illustrative changes can be scaled up or down over a reasonably wide range. The results exclude any behavioural response to the tax change.

VAT Carousel Fraud

Norman Lamb: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what the value of VAT carousel fraud was in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  if he will make a statement on the progress of efforts to tackle VAT carousel fraud;
	(3)  how many prosecutions there were in respect of VAT carousel fraud (a) in 2000, (b) in 2001, (c) in 2002 and (d) since 9 April;
	(4)  how much money has been withheld in VAT repayments to companies trading in (a) mobile telephones and (b) computer chips in each of the last three years; how much was subsequently paid on to these companies; and if he will make a statement.

John Healey: There are no separate estimates for tax losses from the specific carousel variant of VAT Missing Trader Intra-Community (MTIC) fraud. However, estimates of revenue loss from all forms of MTIC fraud, which includes carousel fraud, for 1999–2000, 2000–01 and 2001–02 were published in "Measuring Indirect Tax Losses" at the time of the pre-Budget report in November 2002, a copy of which is available in the Library of the House. There are no estimates for earlier years.
	Details of Customs strategy and progress in tackling VAT MTIC fraud were set out in "Tackling Indirect Tax Fraud" (November 2001), "Protecting Indirect Tax Revenues" (November 2002), and Customs' Spring Report (May 2003), copies of which are also available in the Library of the House.
	Prosecution figures for VAT MTIC fraud for 2001–02 were published in Customs' Annual Report and Accounts 2001–02 in December 2002 (CM 5671). Figures for earlier years are not available.
	Customs does not maintain information in the format requested and it could be produced only at disproportionate cost. The levels of VAT repayments being withheld by Customs in any given sector at any given time vary on a daily basis, and repayments may be made which are subsequently established to be wrongly paid, resulting in an assessment for VAT at a later date.
	Estimates of tax losses and the number of prosecutions for 2002–03, and an update on progress in tackling the fraud, will be published later this year.

VAT Carousel Fraud

Norman Lamb: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has made to the European Union in respect of its rules on cross-border trade and VAT carousel fraud; and if he will make a statement.

John Healey: The UK Government has regular dialogue with the European Commission and other member states of the EU about the most effective way to counter carousel VAT fraud, including simplifying and modernising the current rules on cross-border trade and strengthening the arrangements for administrative co-operation and information exchange between member states' tax administrations. The UK has supported initiatives in this area such as the proposal for a new VAT Administrative Co-operation Regulation, which will come into force on 1 January 2004.

HEALTH

Chlamydia

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Health under what powers the testing of 11 to 16-year-olds for chlamydia in schools is carried out; and what recent discussions he has had on the testing of school children for other sexually-transmitted diseases.

Melanie Johnson: The power and decision to provide a school based health service, and the content of that service, is for the individual governing body of the school in consultation with pupils, parents and the school community.

GM Crops

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research (a) has been undertaken and (b) is planned by the Government into the effects of consuming GM crops on human gut flora.

Melanie Johnson: The Food Standards Agency has not undertaken, and is not planning, any research into the effects of consuming genetically modified crops on human gut flora. The Government's Science Review on genetic modification has concluded that there is no evidence that transgenic DNA per se behaves differently from any other DNA with respect to its fate following consumption in food.

Heroin Addicts

John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what estimate he has made of the number of heroin addicts in (a) Leeds and (b) the UK in each of the last 10 years.

Melanie Johnson: We do not hold this information centrally.

A and E Services

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many admissions to Accident and Emergency departments there were in each of the past 12 quarters, broken down by hospital.

Rosie Winterton: Quarterly activity statistics for accident and emergency departments are available from April 2001 for each national health service trust on the Department of Health website at http://www.doh. gov.uk/hospitalactivity/. A copy of this information is also available in the Library. Information is not collected by individual hospital site.

A and E Services

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health on what dates since 1 October 2002 changes were made to the criteria used by the NHS in collecting data about the four-hour accident and emergency waiting time target.

Rosie Winterton: Since October 2002 there has been one clarification to the criteria used by the national health service in collecting total time data. In addition monitoring has been extended beyond major accident and emergency (A&E) units to include all A&E and minor injuries units (MIU) services during this period.
	A clarification took effect from January 2003. This provided a definition of an inpatient ward type 2 and 3 A&Es (specialist A&Es, MIU and walk in centres) were included in total time monitoring on a voluntary basis from the same month. Monitoring of total time in type 2 and 3 A&Es became mandatory from April 2003.

Ambulances

Shaun Woodward: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what the average length of time ambulances took to reach (a) the patient and (b) the hospital to which the patient needed to be taken in (i) the North West region, (ii) Merseyside and (iii) St. Helens in the last 12 months;
	(2)  in what proportion of 999 calls made to the Merseyside Ambulance Service in the most recently measured 12 months for which figures are available an ambulance was unnecessary.

Melanie Johnson: The information is not available. The latest published performance data held by the Department is for 2002–03. This can be found on the Department's website at www.doh.gov.uk/public/sb0313.pdf. This includes response by category of call by national health service trust.
	Information relating to inappropriate calls is not available.

Ambulances

Shaun Woodward: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) frontline ambulances, (b) patient transport vehicles, (c) fast response cars, (d) medical motorbikes, (e) medical cycles and (f) special baby care units were available in Merseyside in each year since 1997.

Melanie Johnson: The information requested is shown in the table.
	
		
			  1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 
		
		
			 Frontline ambulances in fleet (including spares) 109 109 109 112 112 112 
			 Patient Transport Service vehicles in fleet (including spare) 172 172 178 178 178 178 
			 Solo Rapid Response Cars in fleet (including spare) 0 0 12 13 13 18 
			 Motorcycles 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Cycles 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Special Baby Care Unit 0 0 0 0 0 0 
		
	
	Source:
	Mersey Regional Ambulance Service NHS Trust.

Bovine TB

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what advice his Department has issued to those who have been in contact with animals infected with bovine tuberculosis.

Melanie Johnson: Guidance on the management of the public health consequences of tuberculosis in cattle was issued to all consultants in Communicable Disease Control in June 2000.

BUPA

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the cost to the NHS has been of (a) hip replacements, (b) knee replacements and (c) cataract operations carried out at the BUPA hospital in Redhill.

Rosie Winterton: As the release of this information would entail disclosing a third party's commercial confidences, exemption 13 of the Code of Practice on Open Government applies.

Cannabis

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made in trialling cannabis for medicinal use; and if he will make a statement.

Melanie Johnson: The Department supports the evaluation of the therapeutic use of cannabis by clinical trials, and is working with organisations able to conduct high quality clinical trials that will put this research onto a scientific footing. A Medical Research Council supported clinical trial to attempt to measure the therapeutic effects of cannabis extract in people with multiple sclerosis was recently completed by Dr. John Zajicek, a Consultant Neurologist at Derriford Hospital in Plymouth. Further information on the trial can be accessed at http://www.cannabis-trial.plymouth.ac.uk/
	A programme to develop a medicine derived from cannabis has been ongoing in the United Kingdom. The work is led by Dr Guy of GW Pharmaceuticals Limited. Current details about the clinical trials being sponsored by GW Pharmaceuticals Limited may be obtained from the Company's website at http://www.gwpharm.com/rese clin index.html.
	If the benefits of a cannabis-based medicine are scientifically demonstrated, my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary will move to seek Parliament's agreement to any necessary changes to the misuse of drugs legislation. It would be premature to take such a step before the quality, safety and efficacy of the medicine have been fully established.

Consumers for Health Choice

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the outcome was of his discussions with the representative of Consumers for Health Choice on Tuesday 7 October.

Melanie Johnson: On Tuesday 7 October, I met with representatives of Consumers for Health Choice, the Health Food Manufacturers' Association, the Proprietary Association of Great Britain and the National Association of Health Stores to hear these groups' concerns about the implications of the Food Supplements Directive.
	I restated the Government's commitment to pressing for European Union maximum permitted limits of vitamins and minerals in food supplements to be set on a safety basis and to this end, using its influence in both scientific and political forums. I will raise this issue with Ministers in other member states as and when appropriate. I am also seeking to arrange a meeting with Commissioner David Byrne at the earliest practical opportunity.

Contaminated Blood

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people suffering from haemophilia have (a) died and (b) suffered illness as a result of contaminated blood products from the NHS in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

Melanie Johnson: The number of haemophilia patients registered with the Macfarlane Trust who have died in the last five years, after infection with HIV from infected national health service blood products, is shown in the table.
	
		
			  Number of deaths 
		
		
			 1998 22 
			 1999 19 
			 2000 24 
			 2001 13 
			 2002 12 
		
	
	Information on the number of haemophilia patients with HIV who have suffered illness is not available.
	The latest information from the United Kingdom Haemophilia Centre Doctors Organisation show 212 patients with haemophilia have died from liver disease. The number of haemophilia patients with hepatitis C who are demonstrating signs of serious liver disease is 2,645, from a total 2,829 patients who are living with hepatitis C, as at January 2000.

Contaminated Blood

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make it his policy to compensate (a) the dependants of those who have died from hepatitis due to infected blood products and (b) those who contracted hepatitis by such means, but recovered after treatment.

Melanie Johnson: The details of the hepatitis C ex gratia payment scheme are still being worked out. We expect to announce the scheme's eligibility criteria and payment structure shortly.

Contaminated Blood

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department (a) has commissioned and (b) is evaluating in order to determine the level of compensation for people infected with hepatitis C due to infected blood products; and if he will make a statement.

Melanie Johnson: The following independent resources are being considered as part of the on-going deliberations to determine the level of payments made under the proposed hepatitis C ex gratia payment scheme:
	the scheme of payments implemented by the Macfarlane Trust;
	the scheme of payments implemented by the Eileen Trust;
	the report of the Hepatitis C Working Party to the Haemophilia Society; and
	the report of the Scottish Executive's Expert Group on Financial and Other Support chaired by Lord Ross.

Contaminated Blood

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the steps that he is taking to ensure that contaminants are not present in NHS blood products.

Melanie Johnson: The safety of blood and blood products used in the national health service is of paramount importance. Every reasonable step has been taken to minimise any risks during blood transfusion. The current high levels of safety are achieved by screening out potential high risk donors and then further testing of every unit of donated blood for HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C and syphilis before it is released to hospitals.
	As a precautionary measure against the theoretical risk that vCJD can be transmitted through blood, since 31 October 1999 all blood used for transfusion has had the white cells removed (a process called leucodepletion), and in 1998, we stopped using United Kingdom plasma in the manufacture of blood products.
	New blood safety initiatives, including technologies to remove pathogens in blood, are kept under review by the National Blood Service's Blood and Tissue Safety Assurance Group and the Department's Advisory Committee on the Microbiological Safety of Blood and Tissues for Transplantation.

Coronary Disease

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  whether his Department has met milestones one to four for primary care management of heart failure in the national service framework for coronary heart disease; whether he has plans to set further milestones; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  whether his Department has met milestones one to three for hospitals admitting patients for the management of heart failure in the heart failure section of the national service framework for coronary heart disease; whether he has plans to set further milestones; and if he will make a statement.

Melanie Johnson: The national health service has made good progress on meeting the heart failure milestones set out in the national service frameworks. This has been supported further this year through the publication of the National Institute for Clinical Excellence guideline on the management of heart failure. The Department has set a target for improved management of heart failure in the Planning and Priorities Framework for the next three years and has supported delivery of this target through publication of a toolkit of best practice for the NHS in October of this year.
	The quality and outcome framework in the new general medical services contract will support further progress in this important area.

Dentistry

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many national health service dentists there were in each year between 1997 and 2003.

Rosie Winterton: The table shows the number of national health service dentists on a head count basis in England at September each year from 1997 to 2002. Information for 2003 is not yet available.
	Information is not available on a whole time equivalent (wte) basis because dentists working in the general dental service dentists (CDS) are self employed dentists who are not required to work standard hours and who are free to vary their working time if they wish.
	NHS dentists cover dentists working in the GDS, hospital dental service, community dental service, personal dental service (PDS) and salaried dentists working in the GDS. Dentists working in more than one dental service are included in each service, apart from dentists working in both the PDS and the GDS, who are counted in the GDS only.
	
		NHS Dental Services: Number of dentists in England
		
			 September each year Number of dentists 
		
		
			 1997 20,393 
			 1998 20,887 
			 1999 21,435 
			 2000 21,728 
			 2001 22,321 
			 2002 23,183

Dentistry

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, 
	(1)  what plans he has to increase spending on the provision of dentures; and what discussions he has had with the General Dental Council on the provision of dentures;
	(2)  what plans he has to prevent the illegal (a) production and (b) fitting of dentures; and what estimate he has made of the level of illegal (i) production and (ii) fitting of dentures.
	(3)  if he will introduce an agreed qualification in denturism to permit clinical dental technicians to deal directly with the public.

Rosie Winterton: Dental appliances are manufactured to the prescription of a registered dentist, mostly in privately owned laboratories, which have to be registered with the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulation Agency (MHRA) under the Medical Devices Regulations 2002. We are working with the General Dental Council and the profession to provide for the registration of dental technicians including clinical dental technician (CDTs). As a result, members of both professions will need to be appropriately trained and qualified. The registration of CDTs will enable suitably qualified members of the profession to both supply and fit dental appliances thereby legalising the practice of denturism.
	No prosecutions have been undertaken against dental laboratories which have failed to register under the Medical Devices Regulations. The vast majority of breaches of the Regulations are resolved with the co-operation of the manufacturer in line with the Government's Concordat on Enforcement without the need for prosecution. The MHRA investigates and resolves all potential breaches that are drawn to their attention. Information on the illegal fitting of dentures is not held centrally.

Dentistry

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will state (a) the reasons for compulsory retirement in dentistry and (b) the age limit for this retirement.

Rosie Winterton: The National Health Service (General Dental Services Supplementary List) and (General Dental Services) Amendment Regulations 2003 amend the National Health Service (General Dental Services) Regulations 1992 by changing the age at which a dentist must be removed from a dental list from 65 to 70 years of age. A dentist so removed may continue to assist in the provision of general dental services after the age of 70 years.
	The NHS Pension Scheme's current normal retirement pension age is 60. Members may stay in the scheme until age 70 but from age 60 they may retire and take a pension voluntarily without reduction.
	Any member still employed at age 70 may take their retirement pension and continue working in the NHS.
	Dentists, along with all other NHS Pension Scheme members are able to retire with benefits from age 50 on a voluntary basis. The voluntary early retirement from age 50 is payable with actuarially reduced benefits.

Dentistry

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent discussions he has had with his counterparts in the European Union on regulations on services that may be provided by dental technicians within the European Union.

Rosie Winterton: Working practices and any legislative controls for dental technicians vary across the countries of the European Union. We intend that the General Dental Council's proposals for registration should aid the development of common standards to assist freedom of movement within Europe.

Dentistry

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what recent discussions he has had with representatives of dental technicians regarding regulations relating to their position in providing dental services;
	(2)  what recent discussions he has had with the (a) Scottish Executive and (b) Welsh Assembly regarding regulations on the provision of dental services within the UK by dental technicians;
	(3)  what recent discussions he has had with the General Dental Council on the role of dental technicians in providing dental services.

Rosie Winterton: Dental technicians are key members of the dental team. All the Health Departments in the United Kingdom have indicated their support for the General Dental Council's proposals for the registration of dental technicians. This will ensure that they are properly trained and acquire registrable qualifications, which have been identified in consultation with the profession. We plan to put the necessary legislative changes in place during 2004 and intend that registration arrangements should give new impetus to the training and recruitment of dental technicians.

Dentistry

Alan Beith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average waiting time before dentists qualified overseas can take the qualifying examinations to practise in the UK has been over the last five years.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 10 November 2003
	The International Qualifying Examination (IQE), which is the General Dental Council's (GDC) statutory examination for the purpose of gaining admission to the United Kingdom dentists register, was introduced on 1 January 2001. Since then, the number of dentists applying to take the examination has increased from some 150 to nearly 200. Average waiting times for the three parts of the IQE since that date are shown in the table.
	
		Months
		
			  Part A Part B Part C 
		
		
			 2001 2.75 4.5 7.4 
			 2002 4.25 5.5 10 
			 2003 5.75 7.5 10 
		
	
	The figures exclude candidates who have asked for the timing of the examination to be delayed. Information for the years prior to the introduction of the IQE is not available. The GDC has increased Part C capacity for 2004 and waiting times should be shortened significantly, with some candidates given only three months wait to sit Part C.

Diagnosis and Treatment Centres

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much (a) has been and (b) is intended to be spent on capital costs in the new diagnosis and treatment centres.

John Hutton: Independent sector treatment centres (IS-TCs) are being procured in accordance with strict Official Journal of the European Commission (OJEC) rules. The advertisements published in the OJEC in December 2002 were for the provision of health services only and not capital build. The IS-TC programme was design to ensure that additional capacity is available as soon as possible to treat National Health Service patients.
	The 47 NHS treatment centre schemes have been allocated a total capital spend of over £370 million.

Diagnosis and Treatment Centres

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the location will be of the diagnostics centre in Southend-on-Sea; and if he will make a statement.

John Hutton: The proposed location of the treatment centre in Southend-on-Sea is expected to be at Fossetts Farm, on the outskirts of Southend-on-Sea. This is subject to receipt of planning permission.

Digital Hearing Aids

Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make a statement on the availability of NHS digital hearing aids in Wirral South.

Melanie Johnson: The Wirral Hospitals National Health Service Trust manages the provision of digital hearing aids across the Wirral, including Wirral South. Funding has been made available for the years 2003–04 and 2004–05 to ensure that a modernised service, providing digital hearing aids, will be available from all NHS hearing aids services in England by 2005.

Elective Admissions

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many patients have waited more than (a) three months, (b) six months and (c) 12 months for an elective finished in year admission in each of the last five years for which figures are available for each NHS Trust in London; and if he will make a statement.

John Hutton: The information requested has been placed in the Library.

Epilepsy

John Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what the national misdiagnosis rates for epilepsy were in (a) adults and (b) children in the last year for which figures are available;
	(2)  what percentage of patients with epilepsy are seizure free.

Stephen Ladyman: We do not collect information on the misdiagnosis rates for epilepsy. However, recent reports from the Clinical Standards Advisory Group, "Services for patients with epilepsy (2000)", and the Chief Medical Officer, "On the State of the Public Health (2001)", showed that around 20 per cent. of people referred to epilepsy clinics may be misdiagnosed and receive inappropriate and unnecessary treatment. In May 2002, the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) made its report of the National Clinical Audit of Epilepsy Related Death available to local national health service clinicians and organisations to help them establish or review policies for the management of epilepsy and epilepsy-related death. NICE is also developing a clinical guideline for the diagnosis, management and treatment of epilepsy, which is currently due to be published in June 2004 and which will help address any shortfalls in current practice.
	The new general medical services contract includes clinical quality standards for the management of epilepsy in primary care. Under the quality and outcomes framework being introduced from 1 April 2004 as part of the contract general practitioner practices will be rewarded for monitoring and managing people with epilepsy. This will include recording the percentage of patients aged 16 and over receiving drug treatment for epilepsy who have been seizure free for the last 12 months. The Joint Epilepsy Council's "National Statement of Good Practice" shows that around 70 per cent. of people with epilepsy have the potential to become seizure free.

Flu Vaccinations

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate the NHS has made of potential savings derived from sending only one copy of the influenza vaccination reminder letter to a household, even if more than one resident in the household is affected.

Melanie Johnson: Although no official cost effectiveness assessment has been carried out, general practitioner practices usually ask their primary care trust to write to patients on their behalf. It is thought that this approach is quicker, more cost effective than individual practices writing out and preserves patient confidentiality.

Fluoridation

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what peer presented research his Department has examined in assessing the potential benefit in the proposed addition of fluoride to drinking water;
	(2)  what other countries' drinking water supply systems were (a) investigated and (b) visited by his Department when preparing proposals to add fluoride to drinking water.

Melanie Johnson: In 1999, the Department commissioned the University of York to carry out an up to date expert scientific review of fluoride and health. "A Systematic Review of Water Fluoridation" published in September 2000, reported that fluoridating water reduces the number of children with tooth decay by 15 per cent. The review identified 3,246 research studies from 30 different countries, but was critical of the quality of the research available. Accordingly, the Department asked the Medical Research Council (MRC) how the evidence base could be strengthened and the Chief Medical Officer and Chief Dental Officer are advising Ministers on the implementation of the MRCs recommendations. We have already commissioned a study on the absorption of fluoride, which has now been completed and is subject to peer review.

Food Advertising

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what discussions he has had with other Ministers on extending regulations on food advertising aimed at children.

Melanie Johnson: The Government is concerned about the levels of childhood obesity and is taking and considering a number of actions to tackle the problem. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has recently published a discussion paper on possible options for action on the promotion and advertising of foods that could improve children's diets and health, and is expected to advise Ministers of its analysis of these options early next year. It would not be appropriate to discuss specific options before receiving the FSA's advice.

Food Labelling

Patsy Calton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps are being taken to ensure that recommended daily amounts for nutrients are carried on food labels.

Melanie Johnson: There is no legislative requirement for guideline daily amounts of nutrients to be included on food labels. However, the Food Standards Agency recommends that this information should be given and a number of food manufacturers already include such information on their products. In the next few months, the European Commission is expected to make a proposal to amend the current nutrition labelling directive. The Government are pressing for mandatory nutrition labelling on all foods, and for the labelling to indicate whether the product is high, medium or low in key nutrients, that is fat, sugar and salt.

Food Supplements

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps he has taken to promote to other European Union member states the methodology for establishing safe levels of nutrient intake adopted by the Expert Advisory Group on vitamins and minerals; and what further plans he has for promoting his policies of case by case reviews of published literature on nutrient safety.

Melanie Johnson: Article 5 of the Food Supplements Directive lays out a framework for the future setting of maximum permitted levels of vitamins and minerals in food supplements. The United Kingdom continues to press for European Union maximum permitted limits to be set on a safety basis, and in doing so, is using its influence in both scientific and political forums. I intend to raise this issue with Ministers in other Member States as and when appropriate. I am also seeking to arrange a meeting with Commissioner David Byrne at the earliest practicable opportunity.

Foundation Trusts

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  when he expects to issue further advice to putative NHS foundation trusts on the use of existing databases of (a) patients and (b) staff names for the purposes of creating a membership register;
	(2)  when he expects to issue advice on the implications of the (a) Data Protection Act 1998 and (b) Freedom of Information Act 2000 on the (i) compilation and (ii) use of membership registers of NHS foundation trusts.

John Hutton: Subject to Parliament, it is the Government's intention that national health service foundation trusts will be required to have a members register. Officials are working with the first wave of applicants and organisations with expertise in maintaining membership organisations with a view to developing practical advice to be incorporated into an updated edition of "NHS Foundation Trusts: A guide to the governance arrangements".

Foundation Trusts

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will issue advice to putative NHS foundation trusts on the nature of the questions they may ask prospective members concerning their (a) ethnicity, (b) faith and (c) disability.

John Hutton: Department of Health officials are working with the first wave of applicants and organisations with expertise in maintaining membership organisations on the sorts of information that national health service foundation trusts would need to collect to ensure their membership is representative of those eligible for membership. The Department will develop practical advice on these matters to be incorporated into an updated edition of "NHS Foundation Trusts: A Guide to the Governance Arrangements".

General Practitioners

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many general practitioner fundholders there are in (a) the North West and (b) England.

John Hutton: General practice fundholding was abolished on 1 October 1999. There are no general practitioner practices in the North West nor in England operating as GP fundholders.

Genetic Research

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action he is taking to determine the ethical framework applied to genetic research in receipt of financial support from the Government.

Melanie Johnson: Genetic research commissioned by the Government and carried out within the national health service is subject to oversight by the appropriate NHS Research Ethics Committee. Gene therapy research will continue to be subject to the approval of, and ongoing supervision by, the Gene Therapy Advisory Committee.

Genetic Research

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Health who has been consulted on the ethical dimensions of the Biobank project; and where it is possible to inspect the comments of consultees.

Melanie Johnson: Consultations on the ethical dimensions of UK Biobank have involved key public and professional stakeholders ranging from patients' and civil society groups, scientists and health care professionals, to ethicists, lawyers and social scientists, as well as members of the public. These consultations have informed the discussions of the Interim Advisory Group on Ethics and Governance and the development of the ethics and governance framework. Reports of the consultations can be accessed on the UK Biobank website at www.ukbiobank.ac.uk.

GPs

Adrian Flook: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many general practitioners there were in (a) Taunton Deane and (b) West Somerset in each year since 1992.

Rosie Winterton: The information requested on the number of general practitioners is shown in the tables.
	
		General Medical Practitioners(37) for Somerset and Taunton
		
			   1999 2000 2001 March 2002 2002 March 2003 June 2003 
		
		
			  
			  
			 Somerset Coast PCG 4AR01 101 109 — — — — — 
			 South Somerset 4AY29 71 75 — — — — — 
			 Bath and North East Somerset PCT 5FL — — 142 143 136 154 144 
			 Somerset Coast PCT 5FW — — 107 107 112 106 103 
			 South Somerset PCT 5K1 — — 75 69 108 109 112 
			 North Somerset PCT 5M8 — — 140 121 134 140 137 
			 Taunton and Area PCT 4XM98 100 105 — — — — — 
			 Taunton Deane PCT 5K2 — — 111 108 78 81 81 
			 Total  272 289 575 548 568 590 577 
		
	
	(37) All Practitioners include QMS Unrestricted Principals, PMS Contracted GPs, PMS Salaried GPs, Restricted Principals, Assistants, GP Registrars, Salaried Doctors (Para 52 SFA), PMS Other, GP Retainers and Flexible Career Scheme GPs
	Note:
	Data as at 1 October 1999, 30 September 2000–02, 31 March 2002–03 and 30 June 2003.
	Source:
	Department of Health General and Personal Medical Services Statistics.
	
		General Medical Practitioners (excluding retainers)(38) for Somerset and Taunton -- Numbers (headcount)
		
			   1999 2000 2001 March 2002 2002 March 2003 June 2003 
		
		
			 Somerset Coast PCT 4AR01 101 105 — — — — — 
			 South Somerset PCT 4AY29 71 72 — — — — — 
			 Bath and North East Somerset PCT 5FL — — 135 136 128 144 144 
			 Somerset Coast PCT 5FW — — 105 103 108 103 100 
			 South Somerset PCT 5K1 — — 69 69 103 104 107 
			 North Somerset PCT 5M8 — — 127 121 124 132 137 
			 Taunton and Area PCT 4XM98 100 101 — — — — — 
			 Taunton Deane PCT 5K2 — — 105 104 78 78 79 
			 Total  272 278 541 533 541 561 567 
		
	
	(38) All practitioners (excluding GP retainers) include PMS unrestricted principals, PMS Contracted GPs, PMS Salaried GPs, Restricted Principals, Assistants, GP Registrars, Salaried Doctors (Para 52 SFA), PMS Other, and Flexible Career Scheme GPs
	Note:
	Data as at 1 October 1999, 30 September 2000–02, 31 March 2002–03 and 30 June 2003.
	Source:
	Department of Health General and Personal Medical Services Statistics.
	
		General Medical Practitioners (excluding retainers)(39) for Somerset health authority -- Number (headcount)
		
			  Somerset HA 
		
		
			  
			  
			 1992 294 
			 1993 308 
			 1994 322 
			 1995 326 
			 1996 331 
			 1997 330 
			 1998 338 
			 1999 346 
			 2000 350 
			 2001 356 
		
	
	(39) All Practitioners include GMS Unrestricted Principals, PMS Contracted GPs, PMS Salaried GPs, Restricted Principals, Assistants, GP Registrars, Salaried Doctors (Para 52 SFA), PMS Other and Flexible Career Scheme GPs
	Note:
	Data as at 1 October 1992–99 and 30 September 2000–01.
	Source:
	Department of Health General and Personal Medical Services Statistics.

Health Care (York)

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) outpatient consultations and (b) in-patient treatments there were in each clinical specialty provided by (i) York NHS Trust and (ii) York Primary Care Trust for those services recently transferred from the trust to the PCT, in each year since 1992.

Melanie Johnson: The information requested is not available.

Health Care (York)

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) hospital and (b) community full-time equivalent nurses were employed by (i) York NHS Trust and (ii) York Primary Care Trust in each year since 1992.

Melanie Johnson: The information requested is shown in the table.
	
		NHS hospital and community health services: Qualified nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff, by hospital or community-based in the specified organisations as at 30 September each year -- Whole-time equivalent
		
			  All qualified nurses Community Hospital 
		
		
			  York Health Services NHS Trust 
			 2002 915 24 891 
			 2001 1,132 50 1,082 
			 2000 1,375 240 1,136 
			 1999 1,268 200 1,068 
			 1998 1,235 161 1,074 
			 1997 1,362 193 1,169 
			 1996 1,310 193 1,117 
			 1995 (40)— (40)— (40)— 
			 1994 (40)— (40)— (40)— 
			 1993 1,230 132 1,098 
			 1992 1,129 123 1,007 
			 
			  Selby and York PCT 
			 2002 492 234 258 
			 2001 262 183 79 
		
	
	(40) A new classification of the non-medical workforce was introduced in 1995 and as a result reliable data at organisational level is not available for 1994 and 1995. Maternity nurse figures for 1995 onwards have been included within hospital as they cannot be separately identified between community and hospital.
	Notes:
	Figures are rounded to the nearest whole number.
	Source:
	Department of Health Non-Medical Workforce Census

Hepatitis C

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what action is being taken to improve the (a) detection and (b) treatment rates of hepatitis C; and what the (i) detection and (ii) treatment rates are in the Northern health region in the last year for which figures are available;
	(2)  if he will make a statement on the progress of the Hepatitis C Action Plan.

Melanie Johnson: The Department published its consultation document, "Hepatitis C Strategy for England", in August 2002, which set out proposals to improve the effectiveness of prevention, diagnosis and treatment services for hepatitis C. The Department intends to publish an action plan to implement this strategy in the next few months.
	Detection and treatment rates for the Northern health region are currently being collated and will be placed in the Library when available.

Hospital Projects

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many hospital projects with a value of over £50m initiated since 1997 he estimates will be completed by the end of 2005.

John Hutton: Of the schemes with a capital value over £50 million given the go-ahead since 1997, we anticipate that 22 private finance initiative schemes and two publicly funded schemes will be completed and operational by the end of 2005.

Hospital Trusts

Nick Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what control NHS hospital trusts have over the volume of patients being referred to hospitals.

John Hutton: Primary care trusts (PCTs) are responsible for commissioning sufficient activity from national health service trusts and other providers to meet the needs of their local population. The levels of activity required from NHS trusts should be specified in service agreements (SAs) and will represent a ceiling to the Trusts contractual obligations.
	Where either there are no SAs in place or the activity levels specified in a SA have already been met by the trust, the PCT is responsible for commissioning additional activity to meet the needs of its patients.
	HSC 2002/007 (Securing Service Delivery: Commissioning Freedoms of Primary Care Trusts) and HSC 1998/198 (Commissioning in the new NHS) provide further information. Copies are available in the Library.

Information Technology

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions his Department has had with the National Audit Office regarding the correspondence they have had about the national programme for information technology.

John Hutton: The Department routinely has discussion with the National Audit Office (NAO) as part of its remit to monitor the work of Government departments. A senior member of the NAO has a seat on the national programme board for the National Health Service information management and technology strategy.

Joint Working

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make a statement on joint working between primary health care trusts and citizen advice bureaux; and how much funding primary health care trusts contributed to citizens advice bureaux in each of the past three years.

John Hutton: It is for individual primary care trusts to determine joint working arrangements with local stakeholders and to allocate funds accordingly. The information requested on funding is not available centrally.

King George's Hospital (Redbridge)

John Cryer: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  which private healthcare companies expressed an interest in running the treatment centre at King George's Hospital, Redbridge; and what the criteria were used to award the contract;
	(2)  if he will estimate how many patients will be treated at the treatment centre based at King George's Hospital, Redbridge; and if he will make a statement.

John Hutton: Anglo Canadian was announced as preferred bidder for the proposed treatment centre at King George's Hospital, Redbridge on 12 September. Their appointment is subject to final contract negotiation and agreement. Because of the commercial in confidence status of the procurement, it is not possible to list the other companies that expressed an interest in this scheme.
	The selection of the preferred bidders followed detailed evaluation of the submitted tenders. The evaluation criteria included clinical quality, building proposals, human resources, speed of mobilisation and delivery, affordability, value for money, bidders corporate structure and price. There was a structured scoring mechanism against each of these criteria and total scores assessed between bidders.
	It is expected that the treatment centre based at King George's Hospital will complete 11,800 procedures on average per year of the contract in ophthalmology, general surgery and trauma and orthopaedics. These are indicative activity levels and are subject to the possibility that it may make sense for the national health service and the preferred bidder to shift activity between different centres.

Macular Degeneration

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the number of patients with wet age-related macular degeneration who were treated privately with photodynamic therapy in NHS hospitals in each of the last four years; and if he will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: The Department does not collect data on the number of patients treated privately with photodynamic therapy in national health service hospitals.

Macular Degeneration

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations (a) he and (b) his ministerial colleagues has received from (i) the Royal College of Ophthalmology, (ii) the AMD Alliance and (iii) the RNIB on the implementation of NICE guidance for wet age-related macular degeneration; and if he will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: We have recently received representations from the Royal National Institute for the Blind and the Macular Disease Society raising concerns about the extended implementation period from three to nine months. They were concerned that primary care trusts would delay paying for photodynamic therapy (PDT) until the latest possible time. Specialised commissioning groups are leading the implementation of PDT and at a meeting held on 4 November, departmental officials made clear that funding should not delay implementation of the guidance. The Department is also working closely with the Royal College of Ophthalmologists on the implementation of the guidance.

Macular Degeneration

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether reading centres assessing patients with wet age-related macular degeneration for treatment with photodynamic therapy will be required to make a diagnosis before patients are treated; and if he will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: Reading centres assessing patients with wet age-related macular degeneration for treatment with photodynamic therapy (PDT) will not be required to make a diagnosis before patients are treated. For the moment, reporting on the same day, in real time, by the reading centres service is not feasible. Consequently to avoid delay, PDT will be offered on the basis of the initial judgement of the clinician at the PDT centre, with confirmation of the diagnosis by the reading centres service being made after the first PDT treatment has occurred.

Macular Degeneration

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the annual cost to the NHS of providing photodynamic therapy for wet age-related macular degeneration (a) by primary care trusts, (b) by hospital trusts and (c) in total; and if he will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: The National Institiute for Clinical Excellence has estimated that the cost of providing photodynamic therapy (PDT) to 1000 patients per year would be in the region of £4 million in the first year, rising to £8.3 million by the third year and remaining constant thereafter. PDT is a specialised service and we would expect up to 50 centres to be supported. Therefore, every primary care trust (PCT) or hospital trust is not expected to provide this service. Initially, specialised commissioners will fund the service and PCTs will need to consider longer term funding arrangements.

Macular Degeneration

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the number of patients with classic no occult wet age-related macular degeneration who are unable to receive photodynamic therapy on the NHS; and if he will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: On the basis of limited epidemiological data, the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) estimated that each year in England and Wales there may be 5000 to 7500 new cases of predominantly classic subfoveal choroidal neovascularisation (CNV) associated with wet age-related macular degeneration. However, they noted there is a high degree of uncertainty about this estimate. We have asked the National Health Service to ensure that patients with suspected CNV are treated wherever capacity exists to do so. By July 2004, the NICE guidance will have been implemented fully across the country and capacity will build between now and then.

Macular Degeneration

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many hospitals have equipment and trained professionals in place to provide photodynamic therapy for wet age-related macular degeneration; and if he will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: There are approximately 30 centres providing photodynamic therapy. Some are well established, others are coming on stream. We expect that up to 50 centres will be set up to deliver the National Institute for Clinical Excellence's recommendations. As a specialised service, we expect commissioners to plan for centres to serve a population of not less than a million.

Meat Fraud

Judy Mallaber: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will set up an inquiry into the lessons to be learnt from the prosecutions relating to meat fraud (a) at Denby Poultry Products and (b) in Rotherham.

Melanie Johnson: Following the prosecutions for fraudulent diversion of unfit meat in the Rotherham case, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) set up the independent Waste Food Task Force. The Task Force, which was made up of experts from enforcement, industry and consumer backgrounds, advised the FSA on additional action that could be taken to prevent the illegal diversion of unfit meat into the food chain. The Task Force also included enforcers involved in the Denby Poultry Products prosecutions. The board of the FSA, at its September meeting, adopted an action plan to implement the recommendations of the Task Force. In addition to this, the FSA has called a seminar on 26 November to discuss the lessons to be learned from the Denby prosecutions. The seminar will involve those who were involved both in the Denby prosecutions and in other similar cases, including local authority enforcers, the Meat Hygiene Service, the police and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, as well as industry and consumer representatives.

Medicines and Health Care Products Agency

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 15 September 2003, Official Report, column 616W, on Medicines and Health Care Products Agency, what the value was of each of the contracts listed; and if he will make a statement.

Melanie Johnson: The value of each of the contracts currently being used by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency are:
	Accenture, design and build of information technology applications—£12.3 million
	Charles Mackenzie, enhancements to website applications—£20,902
	Hay Group, design of personal development and performance management system—£50,000
	Oxford Group, delivery of management and leadership training programme—£130,000
	RedAnt Design, general practice research database (GPRD) marketing and customer interface—£15,000
	TK Consultancy, design and build of medicines enforcement case investigation system—£30,000
	Turner & Townsend, post merger co-location project—£8,000
	Unipart advanced learning systems, enhancements to device adverse incidents tracking system—£7,500
	Winton Nightingale, management of staff restaurant contract—£8,150
	The fees an additional contract with Accenture to manage the GPRD accelerator project are currently under negotiation.

Mental Health

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) children and adolescents, (b) adults and (c) pensioners were treated by mental health trusts in west Sussex in each of the last six years.

Rosie Winterton: The total number of admissions of patients with learning disabilities or mental illness resident in the west Sussex local authority is shown in the table.
	
		Number of admissions of patients under mental illness specialities and learning disabilities in west Sussex
		
			  Age group 
			  0–14 15–59 60–74 75 Plus Unknown Total 
		
		
			 1996–97 67 1,244 392 837 6 2,546 
			 1997–98 51 1,158 346 726 0 2,281 
			 1998–99 45 603 190 393 1 1,232 
			 1999–2000 48 1,852 532 798 4 3,234 
			 2000–01 312 1,765 483 645 10 3,215 
			 2001–02 429 1,247 292 353 0 2,321 
		
	
	Notes: 1 From April 2002 a new trust called West Sussex Health and Social Care Trust came into existence, in the main this trust treats mental health patients in the West Sussex area. This was formed by the merger of three other trusts, or parts of them, namely Worthing Priority Healthcare, Sussex Weald and Downs NHS Trust (previously Chichester Priority Care Services) and Mid Sussex NHS Trust. 2 The figures shown are the numbers of admissions under mental health specialities and learning disabilities in these three trusts, over the years 1996–2002. This does not, however, guarantee that the patients being admitted are from the west Sussex area. 3 Admissions are defined as the first period of patient care under one consultant within one healthcare provider. Please note that admissions do not represent the number of patients, as a person may have more than one episode of care within the year. Source: Hospital Episode Statistics

Mental Health

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  pursuant to his answers of 3 November 2003, Official Report, column 518W, on mental health, if he will place copies of the (a) Robert Lee Review and (b) review by Sir Andrew Leggatt in the Library;
	(2)  if he will set out details of the regional variations in efficiency and practice of the Mental Health Review Tribunal offices.

Rosie Winterton: Copies of the Robert Lee review of the Mental Health Review Tribunal Administration will be placed in the Library. Sir Andrew Leggatt's Review of Tribunals was carried out at the request of the Department for Constitutional Affairs and copies will be placed in the Library.
	The following details demonstrate the regional variations in efficiency and practice of the Mental Health Review Tribunal offices and is based on up to date statistical information between January and September 2003.
	
		
			 Average waiting times for application to reachhearing stage 
			 Regional Office Number of applications received in office Number of hearings heard Ratio of applications that reach hearing stage (percentage) Section 2 (days) Non-restricted (weeks) Restricted (weeks) 
		
		
			 London North 4,879 2,823 58 6.8 6.2 15.4 
			 London South 4,245 2,256 53 6.9 7.6 17.9 
			 Liverpool 3,718 1,997 54 5.8 6.3 15.5 
			 Nottingham 3,286 2,277 69 6 7 16 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Section 2 applications have a statutory requirement to be heard within seven days of receipt in the MHRT office.
	2. All other applications must be heard as soon as possible, with regard to the receiving of reports and evidence.
	Factors affecting regional efficiency are: the volume of applications received in any one office; and the ratio of work to medical members.
	
		
			 Regional office Number of medical members 
		
		
			 London North 55 
			 London South 52 
			 Liverpool 52 
			 Nottingham 48

Mental Health

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the statement by the National Director of Mental Health on 31 July on the draft Mental Health Bill represents Government policy; whether he intends to make significant changes to the draft Bill before it is laid before Parliament; what assessment he has made of responses received during the consultation on the draft Bill; and what the timetable is for publishing the responses.

Rosie Winterton: The National Director for Mental Health expressed his personal views to the Parliamentary Health Forum on 4 June 2003. The Government have considered carefully the need for changes to the draft Bill, following responses to consultation and on-going meetings with key stakeholders. Any changes to the draft Bill will be indicated when the Government publish their response to consultation prior to the introduction of the Bill to Parliament.

Mental Health Trusts

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the backlog maintenance cost was to reach (a) estate code condition B, (b) fire safety standards and (c) health and safety standards for all mental health trusts in England, broken down by trust.

John Hutton: The information requested is set out in the table. The figures provided do not indicate levels of risk to patients and staff. Trusts make every effort to remedy significant concerns as quickly as possible. This is reflected in the very small numbers of injuries and deaths arising as a result of fires and reportable health and safety incidents in national health service hospitals in England, despite the very high numbers of people who use healthcare premises.
	Spending on routine maintenance by mental health trusts reached £41 million in 2002–03 with an additional £60 million having been spent between 1998 and 2001. Improvements to health and safety and fire safety will result from the current priorities and planning framework targets for reducing the backlog of maintenance.
	
		£
		
			 Trust Cost to achieve Physical Condition B 2002–03 Cost to achieve Statutory Health and Safety Compliance Standard B 2002–03 Cost to achieve Fire Safety Compliance Standard B 2002–03  
		
		
			 Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust 21,188,485 1,760,499 10,900 
			 Barnet Enfield and Haringey Mental Health NHS Trust 7,045,600 1,202,070 284,000 
			 Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust 2,950,950 190,286 202,536 
			 Central and North West London Mental Health NHS Trust 3,674,996 0 0 
			 County Durham and Darlington Priority Services NHS Trust 3,021,910 50,000 16,000 
			 East London and The City Mental Health NHS Trust 4,010,993 3,017,895 334,045 
			 Gloucestershire Partnership NHS Trust 143,000 0 0 
			 Lancashire Care NHS Trust 4,164,544 772,674 267,200 
			 Mental Health Services Of Salford NHS Trust 4,175,110 0 0 
			 Mersey Care NHS Trust 7,661,919 85,000 5,000 
			 Newcastle, North Tyneside and Northumberland Mental Health NHS Trust 6,965,000 479,000 4,495,000 
			 Norfolk Mental Health Care NHS Trust 4,162,000 0 0 
			 North Cumbria Mental Health and Learning Disabilities NHS Trust 2,446,100 303,800 320,000 
			 North East London Mental Health NHS Trust 3,120,550 1,807,469 126,330 
			 North Essex Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust 6,613,600 76,100 100,400 
			 North West Surrey Mental Health NHS Trust 50,000 0 0 
			 Northern Birmingham Mental Health NHS Trust 2,883,159 171,000 47,000 
			 Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust 3,979,784 743,000 32,000 
			 Oxfordshire Mental Healthcare NHS Trust 3,028,550 161,120 86,986 
			 Oxleas NHS Trust 6,000,000 550,000 250,000 
			 Somerset Partnership NHS and Social Care Trust 683,000 0 0 
			 South Birmingham Mental Health NHS Trust 1,950,625 40,000 30,000 
			 South London and Maudsley NHS Trust 19,172,610 3,995,080 661,189 
			 South West London and St. George's Mental Health NHS Trust 73,234,000 533,000 958,000 
			 South West Yorkshire Mental Health NHS Trust 13,619,673 337,220 459,135 
			 Tavistock and Portman NHS Trust 1,170,800 2,000 16,000 
			 West Hampshire NHS Trust 536,000 305,300 0 
			 West London Mental Health NHS Trust 10,752,770 4,125,000 1,050,540 
			 West Sussex Health and Social Care NHS Trust 1,151,981 713,569 116,255 
			 Total 219,557,709 21,421,082 9,868,516

Mental Health Trusts

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the annual maintenance budget for each NHS mental health trust in England was in each of the last five years.

John Hutton: The annual maintenance budgets for national health service mental health trusts is not centrally collected.
	Data for the last five years on the annual spend on maintenance costs (including engineering, building and grounds and garden maintenance costs) has been placed in the Library. Validation of the data given for 2002–03 remains subject to amendment.
	These figures include:
	Costs associated with the provision of engineering, building and ground and gardens maintenance.
	Labour costs for directly employed and contract staff including contract support costs, fees, materials, and;
	Pay elements for senior managers and all associated staff where involved in maintenance;
	Expenditure relating to the employment of staff belonging to an external organisation (including private finance initiative work);
	Capital works involving adaptations, improvements and/or alterations are not included.
	The trusts listed in the table are those defined as mental health and exclude any trusts where only a minority of services relate to mental health.

Mersey Regional Ambulance Service

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many times during the past six months the Mersey Regional Ambulance Service has been contacted by BT expressing concern about the way in which the service deals with emergency calls.

Melanie Johnson: British Telecom has contacted the Mersey Regional Ambulance Service National Health Service Trust once in the last six months to discuss how the trust can improve the handling of emergency calls.

Mersey Regional Ambulance Service

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many calls the Mersey Regional Ambulance Service (a) failed to answer within two minutes and (b) took more than five minutes to answer in each of the past 12 months.

Melanie Johnson: The Merseyside Ambulance Control Centre has recently updated its call routing system and therefore information prior to August is not available.
	The number of calls with a delay in excess of two minutes is shown in the table.
	
		
			 2003 Number of calls 
		
		
			 August 195 
			 September 236 
			 October 332 
		
	
	Note:
	The number of calls has been supplied directly from the Mersey Ambulance Service NHS Trust and is not validated Department of Health data.
	Mersey Regional Ambulance Service do not routinely collect data that follows the format of calls that took more than five minutes to answer.

Mersey Regional Ambulance Service

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps have been taken by the Mersey Regional Ambulance Service to develop an education and training strategy as recommended by the Commission for Health Improvement; and if he will place a copy of the strategy in the Library.

Melanie Johnson: The Mersey Regional Ambulance Service National Health Service Trust has incorporated its training and education strategy into the human resources strategy. This is in line with the national human resources agenda and has received endorsement from the trust's executive team and the human resources committee.

Mersey Regional Ambulance Service

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps are being taken by the Mersey Regional Ambulance Service to improve the patient transport service.

Melanie Johnson: The Mersey Regional Ambulance Service National Health Service Trust has developed an improvement and modernisation programme in consultation with staff and trade unions for its patient transport service (PTS) operation. The PTS operation is performance managed and progress is reported regularly to the trust board and the performance management committee.

Mersey Regional Ambulance Service

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what procedures have been put in place by the Mersey Regional Ambulance Service to ensure that all staff are trained in infection control.

Melanie Johnson: All staff employed in the emergency and paramedic service at Mersey Regional Ambulance Service National Health Service Trust receive training in infection control as part of their basic training and education. Training in infection control also forms part of the standard induction programme for all operational staff, which includes staff within the patient transport service.

Mersey Regional Ambulance Service

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will place in the Library a copy of the action plan agreed between the Mersey Regional Ambulance NHS Trust and the central commissioning group for its area.

Melanie Johnson: The action plan has not yet been agreed by the relevant parties. A copy will be placed in the Library in due course.

Mersey Regional Ambulance Service

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps have been taken by the Mersey Regional Ambulance Service to ensure that all staff (a) are aware of and (b) act upon their Guidelines for the Management of Infection in the Pre-Hospital Setting.

Melanie Johnson: holding answer 17 November 2003
	I am advised by Cheshire and Merseyside Strategic Health Authority that the Mersey Regional Ambulance Service National Health Service Trust has a detailed infection control policy. All staff receive copies of the policy and are required to confirm in writing that they have read and understood its content and their responsibilities.

Mersey Regional Ambulance Service

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps have been taken by the Mersey Regional Ambulance Service Trust (a) to assess the implementation of the Community Paramedic Scheme and to (b) ensure it has the confidence of the public following the publication of the report by the Commission for Health Improvement on the Trust.

Melanie Johnson: holding answer 17 November 2003
	I am advised by the Cheshire and Merseyside Strategic Health Authority that, following the report of the Commission for Health Improvement, the Mersey Regional Ambulance Service National Health Service Trust has introduced a policy together with procedures for "first responders" within the region. The policy has been approved by the trust board.

Mersey Regional Ambulance Service

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps the Mersey Regional Ambulance Service has taken to implement an action plan for the use of the decontamination unit; and on what date the unit was brought back into use.

Melanie Johnson: holding answer 17 November 2003
	I am informed by the Cheshire and Merseyside Strategic Health Authority that the plan for ensuring that the Mersey Regional Ambulance Service National Health Service Trust has an effective decontamination facility was written in April 2003. The decontamination unit was brought back into use during August 2003.

Mersey Regional Ambulance Service

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what procedures have been introduced by the Mersey Regional Ambulance Service Trust for the safe storage and custody of drugs in ambulances following the report on the Trust by the Commission for Health Improvement.

Melanie Johnson: holding answer 17 November 2003
	I am advised by the Cheshire and Merseyside Strategic Health Authority that, following the report of the Commission for Health Improvement, the Mersey Regional Ambulance Service National Health Service Trust's existing procedures were reinforced to ensure consistency of approach for the storage of drugs.

Mersey Regional Ambulance Service

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps have been taking by the Mersey Regional Ambulance Service to ensure that all patients' report forms are treated as confidential documents.

Melanie Johnson: The patient report forms used within the Mersey Regional Ambulance Service National Health Service Trust are stored on ambulances in a safe box, they are not accessible by members of the public. Within the ambulance stations, patient report forms are stored in locked cabinets. Only staff responsible for checking, auditing or completing the patient report forms are able to view them.

Mersey Regional Ambulance Service

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what procedures have been put in place by the Mersey Regional Ambulance Service to improve access to (a) research literature and (b) the internet at ambulance stations.

Melanie Johnson: The Mersey Regional Ambulance Service National Health Service Trust has installed computers in all work areas. This allows access to email, the internet and research literature.

Mersey Regional Ambulance Service

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what action has been taken by the Mersey Regional Ambulance Service Trust to ensure that all staff are aware of the Trust's whistle-blowing policy; and what training managers have received on the implementation of this policy.

Melanie Johnson: The Mersey Regional Ambulance Service National Health Service Trust reviewed and amended its existing whistle blowing policy in line with Department of Health guidance in September 2003. Managers were provided with details of the changes and copies of the policy and the associated guidance were issued. All remaining staff at the trust will receive the updated guidance before the end of November 2003.

Mersey Regional Ambulance Service

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many staff grievances have been lodged with the Mersey Regional Ambulance Service since March 2002.

Melanie Johnson: The Mersey Regional Ambulance Service National Health Service Trust has received 66 grievances since March 2002.

Mersey Regional Ambulance Service

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps have been taken by the Mersey Regional Ambulance Service to introduce more effective clinical and monitoring support for paramedics.

Melanie Johnson: The Mersey Regional Ambulance Service National Health Service Trust has undergone a significant restructuring of the management team. This includes the introduction of clinical managers who supervise and monitor staff and provide effective clinical supervision and support for paramedics.

Mersey Regional Ambulance Service

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps have been taken by the Mersey Regional Ambulance Service Trust to ensure that all staff working in the Patient Transport Service receive life support skills training; and how many staff have undergone such training since the last Commission for Health Improvement report on the Trust.

Melanie Johnson: All staff working within the patient transport service at Mersey Regional Ambulance Service National Health Service Trust receive life support training upon commencement of employment. Since April 2003, 33 new starters have undergone the training and 60 staff have undergone refresher training.

National School Fruit Scheme

Evan Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how much the Government has spent centrally on the National School Fruit Scheme in the last five years for which figures are available; and what central allocations have been made for this in this year and future years;
	(2)  what central funding sources other than the National Lottery New Opportunities Fund are used to fund the Five-a-Day healthy eating programmes; and how much has been allocated through these other funding sources in (a) the last three years, (b) the current year and (c) future years.

Melanie Johnson: Over the three years 2000–01, 2001–02 and 2002–03 the Department of Health made available £3.3 million of central funds to support its Five-A-Day programme, comprising £1.8 million for the National School Fruit Scheme and £1.5 million for community pilots. Department of Health support in 2003–04 and future years will be from central resources for cardiovascular disease and cancer prevention overall, which are not allocated to specific programmes.

NHS Consultants

Julian Brazier: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what procedure he has established to ensure that where a patient is removed from the UK waiting list of a NHS consultant, the consultant is (a) kept informed of the clinical outcomes and (b) involved in their post-operative care.

John Hutton: Any patient referred from the National Health Service to an independent provider (including an overseas provider) will have a discharge letter completed by the independent provider. This is forwarded to their NHS consultant and general practitioner. Where orthopaedic patients are treated abroad, there is support and agreement to register these patients on the United Kingdom national joint registry.
	Care and follow-up arrangements are arranged according to individual needs. Patients who are sent abroad for treatment will remain in the care of the overseas consultant for a period of two to three weeks depending on the treatment they receive. The patient is formally discharged following a post-operative assessment carried out usually between six and eight weeks post-treatment. If the patient requires treatment in the interim, he or she is entitled to seek a referral to NHS provision through the usual routes by GP or emergency admission, should this be required. Overseas consultants are happy to discuss the clinical care of NHS patients by telephone should the patients UK consultant wish to do so.

NHS Expenditure

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, to what extent the National Health Service spending has been (a) over and (b) under planned levels in (i) financial year 2001–02 and (ii) the first half of this financial year; and if he will make a statement.

John Hutton: The resource underspend for the Department, which includes National Health Service spending, in 2001–02 was £526 million. The Department plans to spend all available resources in the current financial year. To ensure that best use is made of resources in year, end-year flexibility arrangements allow expenditure to be carried forward into the next financial year.

NHS Finance

Geoffrey Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what per capita expenditure was on the NHS in 1997–98; what it was in 2002–03; and what it is expected to be in future years for which plans have been made.

John Hutton: The table shows total net national health service expenditure per head of population in England for 1997–98 and for the period 2002–03 to 2007–08.
	
		£ million
		
			   Spend per head(41),(42),(43)  
		
		
			  
			  
			 Cash   
			 1997–98 Outturn 710 
			
			 Stage 2   
			 2002–03 Plan 1,130 
			 2003–04 Plan 1,240 
			 2004–05 Plan 1,360 
			 2005–06 Plan 1,490 
			 2006–07 Plan 1,640 
			 2007–08 Plan 1,800 
		
	
	(41) For 1997–98, figures are on a cash basis, whereas figures for the period 2002–03 to 2007–08 are on a stage 2 resource budgeting basis. As a result, figures are not comparable across the period.
	(42) Figures are calculated using population projections provided by ONS.
	(43) Figures are rounded to the nearest 10.

NHS Finance

Andy Burnham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will give the distance from target in cash terms for each primary care trust in England for each year of the current spending round.

John Hutton: Primary care trust distances from targets for 2003–04, 2004–05 and 2005–06 have been placed in the Library.

NHS Records (Electronic System)

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how the transfer of NHS records to an electronic system will be funded.

John Hutton: The integrated care records service (ICRS) is one element of the national programme for information technology (NpfIT) in the National Health Service. Central funding for the NPfIT in the NHS is to be made available from the Spending Review 2002 as follows—£370 million in 2003–04, £730 million in 2004–05 and £1.2 billion in 2005–06.
	The costs for the ICRS are being calculated as part of the ongoing procurement and financial management processes within the Spending Review 2002 envelope.
	Exact costs are subject to current procurement negotiations. Due to commercial confidentiality and sensitivity it would not be in the public interest to reveal the details of the negotiations and the potential costs.
	The content of the ICRS databases will be generated initially from information already held within NHS systems. This process will be undertaken by local service providers as part of the initial implementation phase during 2004. Over the course of time, the ICRS will build up a summary of relevant health episodes for patients.
	The ICRS is not about re-entering all of the historical data held on existing systems or paper records but about improving patient care through the capture, use and availability of accurate and up-to-date quality data.

NHS Reference Costs

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will set out the formula and (b) calculations on which the NHS reference costs are based.

John Hutton: The Reference Costs collection entails collecting unit cost and activity data from all National Health Service providers in England, for each financial year.
	Various appropriate activity currencies are used for a range of services and treatments provided by the NHS, which form part of the scope of the Reference Costs collection. Unit cost data is produced by submitting NHS organisations in accordance with the rules detailed in the NHS Costing Manual, to ensure that both cost and activity data are calculated on a consistent and comparable basis.
	The Department of Health collates such data, and produces national average unit cost figures, by calculating, for each service/treatment area, the total national cost for the service, and then dividing this by the total reported activity for that service, at national level.
	All national average costs are published in the National Schedule of Reference Costs, at service level, in conjunction with national activity levels, and interquartile ranges, detailing the ranges between which the middle 50 per cent. of NHS provider costs lie.
	To calculate National Reference Cost Index scores at individual organisation level, the individual NHS providers' activity is multiplied by the national average unit costs for each service/treatment category, undertaken by that NHS provider. This produces a total expected cost for each service/treatment area for each provider. When added together, this establishes an expected cost that each provider would be expected to incur if they were operating at the national average cost per treatment, procedure, etc.
	An Index score of 100 signifies that on average, a provider is operating at national average cost levels. A score higher than 100 indicates that for their current level of activity, on average, an NHS provider is operating at costs higher than would be expected for this level of activity. Conversely, a score of less than 100 indicates that the organisation is operating at costs less than would be expected, were they to be operating at national average unit cost levels, for a particular financial year.

NHS Staff

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, on which NHS equipment his Department holds information of the numbers in service.

Rosie Winterton: There is no central point in the Department of Health that collates information on numbers of the equipment that is in service within the National Health Service.

Non-smoking Areas

Gerry Steinberg: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what plans he has to make it compulsory for restaurants and cafes to have non-smoking areas.

Melanie Johnson: We have no plans to make it compulsory for restaurants and cafes to have non-smoking areas.
	We will continue to work with partners to encourage smoke-free policies across the country, whilst at the same time increasing support for smokers who want to quit.
	I am encouraged by the responsible attitude of many restaurant owners to speed up this process and am optimistic that many venues will become smoke-free. However I recognise that we still have some way to go and I encourage all businesses to respond to the levels of actual public and customer demand for more smoke-free places.

Obesity

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the average body mass index in (a) England, (b) each region and (c) each strategic health authority for each of the last 10 years.

Melanie Johnson: Figures available from the Health Survey for England are set out in the table. For those respondents with a valid height and weight measurement from which the body mass index could be calculated, it gives the average body mass index by Government Office Region for the period 1998–2001. Figures prior to 1998 are not available by Government Office Region. Care should be taken in interpreting trends in children's body mass index because of small sample sizes.
	
		Mean body mass index (BMI) by survey year, Government office region, age and sex BMI (kg/m2) 1998–2001
		
			  Government office regions 
			  North East North West Yorkshire andthe Humber West Midlands East Midlands East of England London SouthEast South West England 
		
		
			  Aged 16 and over
			 Men   
			 1998 26.2 26.5 26.6 27.1 26.4 26.6 26.1 26.6 26.5 26.5 
			 1999 27.3 26.7 26.6 26.6 26.6 26.5 26.2 25.9 26.2 26.5 
			 2000 27.2 26.8 26.8 27.0 26.8 27.0 26.4 26.8 26.9 26.8 
			 2001 27.4 26.8 27.1 27.3 27.1 27.0 26.6 27.0 26.9 27.0 
			 Women   
			 1998 26.6 26.4 26.4 26.7 26.8 26.4 25.9 26.1 26.5 26.4 
			 1999 25.8 26.4 26.3 27.2 26.5 26.1 25.9 25.9 26.9 26.4 
			 2000 26.7 26.9 26.1 27.4 27.0 26.3 26.3 26.4 26.2 26.6 
			 2001 26.9 26.5 27.0 27.1 27.2 26.8 26.0 26.6 26.8 26.7 
			 Aged 0–15   
			 Boys   
			 1998 17.9 17.8 17.4 18.3 17.2 17.9 17.5 17.7 18.0 17.7 
			 1999 18.1 18.2 18.1 18.0 17.2 17.7 18.2 18.8 17.8 18.1 
			 2000 18.2 17.9 17.5 17.9 17.8 18.0 18.2 17.9 17.5 17.9 
			 2001 18.3 18.0 17.9 18.0 17.9 18.3 18.0 17.6 17.8 18.0 
			 Girls   
			 1998 18.1 18.1 18.0 18.8 18.0 18.3 18.6 17.9 18.4 18.2 
			 1999 17.6 18.0 17.8 19.1 17.8 18.0 18.5 17.6 18.4 18.2 
			 2000 18.2 18.4 17.7 19.4 18.4 18.0 18.2 18.2 18.8 18.4 
			 2001 18.8 18.8 18.0 18.1 18.7 18.2 18.1 17.7 18.3 18.3 
			 Bases   
			 Men   
			 1998 410 936 705 639 592 743 797 991 743 6,556 
			 1999 173 506 331 348 303 400 323 492 327 3,203 
			 2000 192 489 376 348 304 383 367 452 348 3,259 
			 2001 437 840 662 700 611 764 665 889 694 6,262 
			 Women   
			 1998 484 1,082 819 763 671 862 960 1,216 826 7,683 
			 1999 225 530 401 401 381 433 395 551 381 3,698 
			 2000 245 519 437 416 327 414 440 536 368 3,702 
			 2001 494 1,001 800 800 703 865 800 1,132 814 7,409 
			 Boys   
			 1998 87 267 161 175 154 186 210 250 178 1,668 
			 1999 57 123 83 76 74 105 103 130 76 827 
			 2000 58 106 115 98 65 107 87 117 86 839 
			 2001 124 216 155 193 155 180 145 207 157 1,532 
			 Girls   
			 1998 86 264 190 139 151 185 187 234 151 1,587 
			 1999 41 110 66 100 82 85 85 113 83 765 
			 2000 47 111 94 111 73 89 101 120 72 818 
			 2001 111 214 157 192 170 188 179 215 166 1,592 
		
	
	Note:
	Figures prior to 1998 not available by Government office region.
	Source:
	Health Survey for England, Department of Health.

Paramedics (Data Link Schemes)

Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will provide financial assistance to the setting up (a) in England and (b) in Brent of Data Link schemes for paramedics to obtain details of a person's medical history.

John Hutton: Access by paramedics to patients' medical history (subject to appropriate security and confidentiality safeguards) will be included in the core functionality of the integrated care records service (ICRS) that will be implemented across the National Health Service, beginning in 2004 as part of the national programme for information technology in the NHS. Local service providers are being appointed to work with local health communities to deliver solutions tailored to specific local needs.
	Central funding for the National Programme for IT in the NHS, of which the ICRS is one component, is to be made available as follows—£370 million in 2003–04, £730 million in 2004–05 and £1.2 billion in 2005–06.
	There is also some £850 million per annum provided in local baseline allocations that must be used to support investment in IT infrastructure or particular local priorities. If there is specific functionality required in Brent or elsewhere, and local circumstances or priorities dictate that it will be required sooner than ICRS will be rolling it out nationally, then local funds should be used to procure and provide that application, system or service.
	Funding for local initiatives is a matter for the relevant strategic health authority and primary care trusts.

Parliamentary Questions

John Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will reply to the questions regarding chiropody services tabled on 14 October 2003 by the hon. Member for Billericay, reference numbers 131565 to 131568.

Stephen Ladyman: I replied to the hon. Member on Monday 17 November 2003, Official Report, column 578W.

Patient Referrals

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many patients have been referred by each (a) Strategic Health Authority and (b) NHS Trust in London in each of the last five years for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.

John Hutton: It has not been possible to respond to the specific question raised. Strategic health authorities do not refer patients. However, if the hon. Member requires specific waiting time information by commissioner and provider, he can visit the following website, www.doh.gov.uk/waitingtimes.

Pneumococcal Disease

Patsy Calton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the recorded incidence of pneumococcal disease infection by health authorities was in the last year for which figures are available; and what estimate he has made of unreported pneumococcal disease infection by health authority.

Melanie Johnson: Information on the incidence of pneumococcal disease infection by health authority (HA) is not available. Notifications are for pneumococcal meningitis only and these are listed by health authority in the table. No estimate has been made of unreported pneumococcal disease infection by HA.
	
		Statutory notifications of pneumococcal meningitis England and Wales—2002
		
			 Health authority name Number 
		
		
			 Avon 3 
			 Barking and Havering 2 
			 Barnet, Enfield and Haringey 2 
			 Barnsley 2 
			 Bedfordshire — 
			 Berkshire 9 
			 Bexley, Bromley and Greenwich 2 
			 Birmingham 9 
			 Bradford 5 
			 Brent and Harrow 1 
			 Bro Taf — 
			 Buckinghamshire 3 
			 Bury and Rochdale 1 
			 Calderdale and Kirklees 2 
			 Cambridgeshire — 
			 Camden and Islington 1 
			 Cornwall and Isles of Scilly — 
			 County Durham — 
			 Coventry 2 
			 Croydon — 
			 Doncaster 1 
			 Dorset 4 
			 Dudley 2 
			 Dyfed Powys 4 
			 Baling, Hammersmith and Hounslow 2 
			 East Kent 2 
			 East Lancashire — 
			 East London and The City 1 
			 East Riding 4 
			 East Surrey — 
			 East Sussex, Brighton & Hove — 
			 Gateshead and South Tyneside — 
			 Gloucestershire — 
			 Gwent 2 
			 Herefordshire — 
			 Hertfordshire 3 
			 Hillingdon — 
			 Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and South East Hampshire 1 
			 Kensington & Chelsea and Westminster — 
			 Kingston and Richmond — 
			 Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham 2 
			 Leeds 3 
			 Leicestershire 3 
			 Lincolnshire 2 
			 Liverpool — 
			 Manchester 3 
			 Merton, Sutton and Wandsworth — 
			 Morecambe Bay — 
			 Morgannwg — 
			 Newcastle and North Tyneside 3 
			 Norfolk 11 
			 North and East Devon — 
			 North and Mid Hampshire 2 
			 North Cheshire 2 
			 North Cumbria 2 
			 North Derbyshire — 
			 North Essex — 
			 North Nottinghamshire 1 
			 North Staffordshire — 
			 North Wales 4 
			 North West Lancashire 2 
			 North Yorkshire — 
			 Northamptonshire 3 
			 Northumberland 1 
			 Nottingham 7 
			 Oxfordshire 1 
			 Port Health Authority — 
			 Redbridge and Waltham Forest — 
			 Rotherham 1 
			 Salford and Trafford 3 
			 Sandwell — 
			 Sefton — 
			 Sheffield — 
			 Shropshire 1 
			 Solihull — 
			 Somerset — 
			 South and West Devon 4 
			 South Cheshire 1 
			 South Essex 1 
			 South Number — 
			 South Lancashire — 
			 South Staffordshire — 
			 Southampton and South West Hampshire 3 
			 Southern Derbyshire 1 
			 St Helens and Knowsley 4 
			 Stockport — 
			 Suffolk 1 
			 Sunderland — 
			 Tees — 
			 Wakefield — 
			 Walsall — 
			 Warwickshire 1 
			 West Kent 5 
			 West Pennine 1 
			 West Surrey 1 
			 West Sussex 4 
			 Wigan and Bolton 2 
			 Wiltshire 2 
			 Wirral 6 
			 Wolverhampton 1 
			 Worcestershire — 
			 Total 166 
		
	
	Source:
	Health Protection Agency, Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre.

Poultry Waste

Judy Mallaber: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans the Food Standards Agency has to provide guidance to those involved in the meat trade to (a) improve self-regulation and (b) assist the trade in identifying criminal activity in the distribution of poultry waste.

Melanie Johnson: The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has assisted meat trade organisations in preparing and publicising the Industry Code of Practice on the Production, Handling and Processing of Animal By-Products. The FSA will also in December be discussing with other food trade organisations what further action can be taken to identify and prevent fraudulent diversion of unfit meat into the food chain. In addition, the FSA is commissioning a study into the possible use of a marker in low risk animal by-products, which will enable both industry and enforcers to detect meat which is unfit or not intended for human consumption, but does not prevent the legitimate use of such material, for example, in pet food.

Poultry Waste

Judy Mallaber: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action is planned to ensure effective policing of the segregation of high and low risk waste at poultry slaughterhouses and its distribution from slaughterhouses; and what plans he has to provide extra resources to the Meat Hygiene Service for this purpose.

Melanie Johnson: The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has revised its instructions to the Meat Hygiene Service (MHS) on the enforcement of animal by-products legislation, and the FSA is auditing the MHS's performance against those instructions. In addition, as part of the FSA's action plan to implement the recommendations of the Waste Food Task Force, the Agency is working with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the MHS to produce a new, joint, risk-based regime for enforcement of animal by-products legislation in licensed premises. This will make best use of existing enforcement expenditure. In addition to this, the FSA is currently considering the case for extra expenditure for animal by-products enforcement in licensed premises as part of its review of MHS functions.

Prostate Cancer

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what progress the Government has made in reducing the incidence of prostate cancer in the last five years;
	(2)  what his Department's strategy is for tackling prostate cancer.

Melanie Johnson: Good progress has been made since the National Health Service Prostate Cancer Programme was launched on 6 September 2000, setting out the Government's approach to improving prostate cancer services in England and Wales.
	As part of the Prostate Cancer Risk Management Programme (PCRMP), evidence-based primary care resource packs were sent to all general practitioners in England from 23 September 2002 to aid them in counselling men who are worried about prostate cancer, ensuring the men make an informed choice about whether or not to have a prostate specific antigen (PSA) test.
	Other elements of the PCRMP include ensuring that a systematic and standardised follow up pathway is available for individuals whose test result is above the PSA threshold and action to improve the quality of laboratory testing of PSA samples. Primary care and laboratories were informed of the related recommendations from the scientific reference group, which supports the PCRMP, in September 2002.
	In 2003–04 the Department will be directly funding £4.2 million of research a year on prostate cancer. This compares with just £98,000 in 1996–97. Two National Cancer Research Institute prostate cancer research collaboratives have been established in Newcastle and London. Funded research includes studies on various treatments for prostate cancer, improving the PSA test and ethnic differences in prostate cancer incidence. The National Cancer Research Institute considered prostate cancer as part of its strategic analysis in 2002, but made no specific recommendations.
	The Department has funded the following regarding public awareness:
	Section 64 grant to the Prostate Cancer Charity to increase further information about prostate cancer.
	Section 64 grant to the Prostate Cancer Charity to improve awareness of the risks and symptoms of prostate cancer in African and Afro-Caribbean men in Britain.
	The database of individual patient experiences in prostate cancer. 97.5 per cent. of patients with suspected urological cancers (including prostate) were seen for their first out-patient appointment within two weeks of their general practitioner deciding they should be urgently referred, and the hospital receiving the referral within 24 hours, between April and July 2003.
	The cancer services collaborative is modernising cancer care, including prostate cancer, by reducing unnecessary delays in the system for patients throughout the cancer journey.
	There has been an increase in the number of consultant urologists from 427 in 2001 to 466 to 2002, and is set to grow to 504 in 2005.
	The incidence of prostate cancer has risen over the last five years. Much of this increase is thought to be due to an increased use of the PSA test and a lengthening of life expectancy.
	Much has been achieved on prostate cancer since the Prostate Cancer Programme was launched, but we recognise that there is still much to be done. That is why we welcomed the launch of the Prostate Cancer Charter for Action on 29 January 2003, and set up the Prostate Cancer Advisory Group (PCAG) to ensure better collaboration and communication between the charter members and Government. PCAG is already taking forward work on information for prostate cancer patients, public awareness and a national prostate cancer resource website.

School Sport

Patsy Calton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 10 November 2003, Official Report, column 64W, on school sport, what assessment has been made of the percentage of school children who (a) were offered and (b) took up two hours per week of high quality physical education and school sport in the last year for which figures are available.

Stephen Twigg: I have been asked to reply.
	The Government is investing more than £1 billion in England to transform physical education, school sport and club links. The funding will help deliver an ambitious Public Service Agreement target, shared by the Departments for Education and Skills and for Culture, Media and Sport, to increase the percentage of 5 to 16-year-olds who spend a minimum of two hours each week on high quality PE and school sport within and beyond the curriculum to 75 per cent. by 2006. Data collected during the autumn term 2002 suggested that about a third of schools provided this entitlement at Key Stage 1, two fifths at Key Stage 2 and a third at Key Stages 3 and 4. Data are now being collected for the first time—for publication in April 2004—on the number of pupils who choose to take up this entitlement.

Sexual Health

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people were treated for sexually transmitted infections, broken down by (a) type of infection, (b) sex of patient and (c) age of patient in (i) Eastleigh and Test Valley South, (ii) Southampton City and (iii) Mid-Hants Primary Care Trust, in each of the last 10 years.

Rosie Winterton: It is not possible to break down the information into the areas requested in the time frame requested. However, the figures for the old Southampton and South West Hampshire Health Authority area are shown in the tables.
	
		Primary diagnosis (ICD-10 A50-A64, B20-B24) STDs, HIV/AIDS QD3 Southampton and South West Hampshire HA of residence—count of finished in year admission episodes by primary diagnosis—NHS hospitals England 1996–97 to 2001–02
		
			 Primary diagnosis 1996–97 1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 
		
		
			  
			  
			 A52 Late Syphilis 2 1 — — 1 — 
			 A53 Other and unspecified syphilis — — 1 — — — 
			 A54 Gonococcal Infection — — — — — 1 
			 A56 Other sexually transmitted chlamydial diseases — — 1 — — 1 
			 AGO Anogenital herpesviral (herpes simplex) infection 2 1 — 2 1 1 
			 A63 Other predominantly sexually transmitted diseases NEC 4 5 5 5 4 5 
			 B20 Human immunodef virus disease resulting in infectious parasitic diseases 1 1 — 1 — 1 
			 B21 Human immunodef virus disease resulting in malignant neoplasms — — 1 — 2 1 
			 B22 Human immunodef virus disease resulting in other specified diseases — — — 1 — — 
			 B23 Human immunodeficiency virus disease resulting in other conditions 1 — — — 2 — 
			 B24 Unspecified human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease 1 2 1 3 2 3 
			 Grand total 11 10 9 12 12 13 
		
	
	
		Primary Diagnosis (ICD-10 A50-A64, B20-B24) STDs, HIV/AIDS QD3 Southampton and South West Hampshire HA of residence—count of finished in year admission episodes by sex—NHS hospitals England 1996–97 to 2001–02
		
			  Sex 
			  Female Male Grand total 
		
		
			 1996–97 3 8 11 
			 1997–98 4 6 10 
			 1998–99 4 5 9 
			 1999–2000 5 7 12 
			 2000–01 5 7 12 
			 2001–02 7 6 13 
		
	
	
		Primary Diagnosis (ICD-10 A50-A64, B20-B24) STDs, HIV/AIDS QD3 Southampton and South West Hampshire HA of residence—count of finished in year admission episodes by age grouping—NHS Hospitals England 1996–97 to 2001–02
		
			 Age group 1996–97 1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 
		
		
			 0–4 1 — — — — — 
			 5–14 1 — 1 1 — — 
			 15–44 8 5 6 5 6 8 
			 45–64 1 4 2 5 5 3 
			 65–74 — — — 1 1 1 
			 75–84 — 1 — — — 1 
			 Grand total 11 10 9 12 12 13 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Admissions—admissions are defined as the first period of in-patient care under one consultant within one healthcare provider. Please note that admissions do not represent the number of in-patients, as a person may have more than one admission within the year.
	2. Diagnosis (primary diagnosis)—the primary diagnosis is the first of up to 14 (seven prior to 2002–03) diagnosis fields in the Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) data set and provides the main reason why the patient was in hospital.
	3. Grossing—figures have not (yet) been adjusted for shortfalls in data (ie the data are ungrossed).
	4. Since data is residency based, figures between one and six do not need to be suppressed as authorised by the Security and Confidentiality Group (SCAG).
	5. Prior to 1996–97 there were differences in organisational formation and/or how diagnosis data was collected meaning that data would not be comparable with those years given.
	Source:
	Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), Department of Health.

Sight Loss

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate the cost to (a) the NHS, (b) individuals, (c) families and carers, (d) local authorities and (e) taxpayers of 3,000 people losing their sight; and if he will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: We have not made any assessment of these costs. The costs of blindness will differ according to who becomes blind and when. It is not possible to separate the costs of blindness and partial sight given current information.
	The latest estimates of the costs of blindness and visual impairment are from a study commissioned for the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association in July this year. 1
	The report's estimates of the annual non-treatment costs for people registered blind or partially sighted in England in various groupings are shown in table 1.
	
		Table 1: Estimate of annual non-treatment costs for people with blindness/partial sight -- £
		
			  Estimate per person 
		
		
			 Children 1,123 
			 Working age 19,841 
			 Elderly 4,980 
			 Total 7,561 
		
	
	Notes:
	(44) These costs make assumptions, based on expert opinion and judgments from the literature, about typical income received from: disability living allowance, carer's allowance, vision rehabilitation services, income support, job seeker's allowance, tax allowances; the provision of community based healthcare and the numbers of blind and partially sighted people unemployed.
	(45) The major costs are for those of working age which may be overstated since the report makes assumptions about the lost productivity to the economy related to unemployment among the blind and visually impaired and assumes that this can be represented by average earnings. If there are flexible labour markets and non-negligible unemployment then some portion of this "lost" productivity will be recovered through other workers.
	(46) Costs could be overestimates since it is not clear from the research whether these are the costs incurred by an average blind or partially sighted person, or the costs that are directly attributable to their blindness or partial sight, for example, some of those who are unemployed and blind or partially sighted would have been unemployed if they were not blind or partially sighted.
	It is not possible to identify treatment costs specifically for those who are blind (or as a result of blindness) from NHS data sources. It is possible to identify the costs of treatment for glaucoma and cataracts, which are both conditions that are associated with low vision and can lead to blindness. The costs shown in table 2 are from the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association report.
	
		Table 2: Estimate of treatment costs for cataracts and glaucoma -- £
		
			  Estimate per person 
		
		
			 Glaucoma 1,016 
			 Cataracts 688 
		
	
	Finally, the literature on the "out-of-pocket costs" for blind patients has been reviewed by the Royal National Institute for the Blind. At 2000 prices, these are estimated to be around £52 per person per week.
	1 "The costs of blindness: An analysis of the costs of visual impairment and blindness in the United Kingdom". July 2003, Ethical Strategies Limited. The report can be downloaded free of charge from http://www.healthyeyes.org.uk/index.php?id=25.

Social Care

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what discussions he has had with west Sussex Social Services Department regarding the provision of central funding for the social care of residents of the Chagos Islands arriving in west Sussex.

Stephen Ladyman: Officials in the Department of Work and Pensions and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office are considering, with the Department of Health, the situation of destitute Chagosians in the United Kingdom and specifically in west Sussex. Ministers at the Department of Health have had no direct contact with west Sussex County Council on this matter. Departmental officials, however, have maintained close contact with officers of west Sussex County Council.

South Woodham Ferrers Health Clinic

Mark Francois: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to expand services at the South Woodham Ferrers Health Clinic; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Ladyman: I have no plans to expand South Woodham Ferrers Health Clinic.
	However, I am informed that Maldon and South Chelmsford Primary Care Trust's bid to Chelmsford borough council's Jubilee fund was successful and they received £75,000 from that fund which it intends to use to redesign South Woodham Ferrers Health Clinic. The PCT has secured planning permission but has revised its original plan which will result in the addition of three further outpatient suites. The PCT is currently awaiting the decision of the borough council's planning committee on the revised plans.

Strategic Health Authorities

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which strategic health authority has the highest deficit; what guidance he will give Avon, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire Strategic Health Authority about its deficit; how much the Avon, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire Strategic Health Authority received from the Government in financial year 2002–03; how much the (a) Bristol, (b) Bath, (c) Wiltshire and (d) Gloucestershire regions received of that sum; and if he will make it his policy when making allocations within strategic health authority areas to award greater sums to regions which (i) have a higher population and (ii) have demonstrated higher standards of performance.

Rosie Winterton: In 2002–03, the last year for which we have audited accounts, the Avon, Wiltshire and Wiltshire and Gloucestershire Strategic Health Authority area reported the highest overall deficit. The Avon, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire SHA economy received a total resource allocation of £1.989 billion. The table shows distribution of the allocation across its primary care trusts.
	The Department has asked the Avon, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire SHA to ensure that each National Health Service body within the health economy plans for and achieves financial balance and delivers its key targets.
	From 2003–04 revenue resources have been allocated to primary care trusts on the basis of the relative needs of their populations. A weighted capitation formula is used to determine each primary care trust's target share of available resources.
	
		Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire SHA Revenue Allocations to Primary Care Trusts 2002–03 -- £ Thousand
		
			 Organisation code Organisation name Revenue Resource Limit allocated 
		
		
			  
			  
			 5FL Bath and North east Somerset PCT 156,601 
			 5JF Bristol North PCT 211,930 
			 5JG Bristol South and West PCT 183,161 
			 5KW Cheltenham and Tewkesbury PCT 120,921 
			 5KY Cotswold and Vale PCT 155,152 
			 5K4 Kennet ande North Wiltshire PCT 158,080 
			 5M8 North Somerset PCT 161,638 
			 5A3 South Gloucestershire PCT 190,965 
			 5DJ South Wiltshire PCT 100,038 
			 5K3 Swindon PCT 164,870 
			 5KX West Gloucestershire PCT 186,743 
			 5DH West Wiltshire PCT 93,620 
			  Total PCT Allocation 1,883,719 
			
			 Q20 Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire SHA 105,366 
			
			  Total AGW Patch Position 1,989,085 
		
	
	Source
	Strategic Health Authority summarisation forms 2002–03 Primary Care Trust Summarisation Schedules 2002–03

Stroke Treatment

John Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what percentage of stroke patients are being treated in specialist stroke units;
	(2)  what percentage of stroke patients he plans will be treated in specialist stroke units by April 2004.

Stephen Ladyman: We do not collect the information requested centrally. However, stroke is one of the condition specific standards (Standard 5) incorporated into the national service framework for older people. The target is that by April 2004, 100 per cent. of all general hospitals which care for people with stroke will have a specialised stroke service as described in the stroke service model, and that all people who are thought to have had a stroke will have access to diagnostic services and access to specialist stroke services as appropriate.
	The most comprehensive source of information on stroke is the National Sentinel Stroke Audit, carried out by the Royal College of Physicians. The audit was commissioned by the National Health Service in 1998 and was last updated in 2002. The results can be found at http://www.rcplondon.ac.uk/pubs/strokeaudit01–02.pdf. There will be a further update of these figures in 2004.

Transgenes Research

Joan Ruddock: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what published research he has assessed on the effects of transgenes on cellular processes other than the intended function of the gene; and what research he has commissioned on this subject.

Melanie Johnson: holding answer 4 November 2003
	Department of Health research funding is largely focused on research to bring the benefits of new medicines into the national health service. The Department of Health has not commissioned research on this subject. Basic scientific research of this nature is mainly funded by the research councils.

Waiting Lists/Times

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish the latest available (a) inpatient waiting list figures and (b) outpatient quarterly figures for the Mid-Essex Hospital Trust area.

Stephen Ladyman: Inpatient waiting list figures for Mid-Essex Hospital Trust for quarter 2, 2003–04 are shown in the table.
	
		Inpatient Waiting List Figures
		
			  Q2 September 2003–04 
		
		
			 Total waiting 8,123 
			 Less than 3 months 4,195 
			 3–5 months 2,137 
			 6–8 months 1,354 
			 9–11 months 436 
			 12–14 months 1 
		
	
	There are no reported waits for the 15 to 24 month periods.
	Outpatient quarterly figures for Mid-Essex Hospital Trust are shown in the table.
	
		Outpatient quarterly figures
		
			  September Q2 2002–04 
		
		
			  Number of referral requests for first outpatient appointments 
			 GP written 14,687 
			 Other 11,878 
			   
			  Effective length of wait from receipt of GP written referral request to first outpatient attendance (weeks) 
			 0 to <4 3,964 
			 4 to <13 5,985 
			 13 to <17 1,294 
			 17 to <21 457 
			 21 to <26 12 
			 26 and over 0 
			   
			  Not yet seen at end of quarter who have been waiting (weeks) 
			 13 to <17 871 
			 17 to <21 148 
			 21 to <26 0 
			 26 and over 0 
		
	
	Source:
	Department of Health quarterly figures for Mid Essex Hospital Trust area